NSW recorded 239 new locally acquired COVID-19 cases in the 24 hours to 8:00pm yesterday. It’s the highest daily number of new infections ever recorded in NSW since the pandemic began.
Nearly 111,000 tests were completed in the reporting period.
There was also a new COVID-19 death recorded. A man in his 80s from south west Sydney died yesterday afternoon at Royal North Shore Hospital.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian says she feared “things are likely to get worse before they get better,” given the high number of new infections.
The Premier has introduced new restrictions in eight local government areas (LGAs) where the spread of COVID-19 is most pronounced.
From 12:01am tomorrow, residents in Georges River, Parramatta, Blacktown, Cumberland, Canterbury-Bankstown, Fairfield, Liverpool and Campbelltown must:
- Wear a mask whenever they leave their homes, regardless of proximity to others
- Not travel more than 5km from home for shopping, unless the goods are not available in their local area
- Not travel more than 5km from their home to exercise or take part in a “singles bubble”
The new rules are due to a continuing rate of transmission in workplaces, homes and health care settings, the Premier said.
Police Commissioner Mick Fuller sought extra powers for police to ensure compliance in the eight LGA’s, and says thousands of extra police will be out to enforce the new rules.
“We know that the numbers are too high today. We all want to come out of lockdown. These new powers, the additional police into these areas, is about getting us out of lockdown sooner,” he said.
Chief health officer Kerry Chant issued a dire warning, as the situation in NSW deteriorates.
“At this level of cases, we are going to continue to see further deaths. And, sadly, too many elderly people in our communities are not protected,” she said.
Source: ABC News.
