Massive drop in infections as NSW records 787 new Covid cases

NSW recorded 787 new local coronavirus cases on Monday, a drastic drop from the 948 cases reported on Sunday.

Twelve people have died in the last day from Covid-19 – six were not vaccinated, five had one dose, and one was fully vaccinated.

There are 1155 cases in hospital across the state, with 214 people in intensive care – 115 of whom are on ventilators.

The state has also achieved a major vaccine milestone with 60 per cent of the state’s population now double vaccinated, Premier Gladys Berejiklian said.

And more than 85 per cent of eligible NSW residents have received their first dose.

Ms Berejiklian said it was “pleasing” that high vaccination numbers meant hospitalisation rates were not as high as had been predicted.

“But it doesn’t mean we are out of the woods in terms of overwhelming our hospitals,” she said.

“Technically we are still looking at our system being overwhelmed in October and I ask people to exercise caution there.

“We know that once we start reopening at 70 per cent double dose that the case numbers will go through the roof, but what will protect us is the fact that so many people have received at least the first dose of the vaccine, and those people will have that extra layer of protection against ending up in hospital or worse.”

Chief health officer Kerry Chant said while the case numbers had dropped, so had testing numbers.

“Can I urge the community, please continue to come out and get tested. It is critical that we find as many cases of Covid in the community as possible so that we can implement these public health measures,” Dr Chant said.

“Knowing that you have Covid is important for you, but it is also important for your family and your loved ones.”

Of the 787 new Covid-19 case:

• 239 are from South Western Sydney LHD
• 158 are from Western Sydney LHD
• 74 are from Sydney LHD
• 73 are from South Eastern Sydney LHD
• 63 are from Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD
• 46 are from Hunter New England LHD
• 43 are from Nepean Blue Mountains LHD
• 29 are from Central Coast LHD
• 24 are from Western NSW LHD
• 16 are from Northern Sydney LHD
• Nine are from Southern NSW LHD
• Four are from Far West LHD
• Four are in correctional settings
• One is from Mid-North Coast LHD
• Four cases yet to be assigned.

NSW Health has also detected fragments of the virus that causes Covid-19 in sewage samples from Grafton, Wardell and Dareton.

Everyone in those areas is urged to monitor for symptoms, and get tested and isolate if they begin to feel unwell.