NSW reports record 1,290 new local coronavirus cases and four more deaths

NSW recorded 1,290 new local COVID-19 cases, more than 80 per cent of which were in Sydney’s west and southwest, and four new deaths in the 24 hours until 8pm on Sunday.

It is another record daily increase in cases and the third consecutive day above 1,000.

The deaths include a man in his 50s from Dubbo with underlying health conditions, a woman in 60s from Sydney’s west, and two men in their 70s from Sydney’s west and inner west.

There are 840 coronavirus cases in hospital, with 137 people in intensive care, 48 of whom require ventilation.

NSW Health administered 49,103 COVID-19 vaccines in the reporting period.

The government, having reached a six million jab target, last week announced a “treat” for fully vaccinated NSW residents allowing them to have small picnics outdoors.

NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell is confident that with rising vaccinations rates students can start a staggered return to school from 25 October 25, building up to having all students back from 8 November.

“If we have any hot spot areas that still have high case loads, then obviously we would need to look at what we do in those communities,” she told the Nine Network on Monday.

“But it’s just too early to say.”

However, there’s hope of an earlier return to school in the regions if a lockdown was lifted earlier, she said.

A survey of 50,000 public school teachers found about 70 per cent had one vaccination and 40 per cent were double vaccinated.

“So that is really encouraging,” Ms Mitchell said.

Source: sbs