NSW’s daily COVID-19 cases have almost doubled overnight, with 11,201 new infections and three deaths recorded.
These figures are the highest number of daily COVID-19 cases recorded in any Australian jurisdiction.
Hospitalisations have also risen to 625, up from 557 in the previous reporting period. 61 patients are in intensive care.
These case numbers come as enormous queues at testing sites and delays for COVID results continue to grip the state.
In response, and following mounting pressure from NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard, Queensland scrapped its requirement for interstate travellers from COVID-19 hotspots to produce a negative PCR test before arriving into the state from January 1.
South Australia also scrapped its pre-arrival PCR testing requirement for interstate travellers on Sunday, moving to rapid antigen tests instead. This leaves Tasmania and the Northern Territory as the only other two open jurisdictions still demanding the lab test.
So far today, Victoria has also recorded 3,767 new COVID cases and five deaths.
