NSW records 961 new local Covid-19 cases and nine deaths

NSW has recorded 961 new locally acquired Covid-19 cases and nine deaths as the state continues its battle with the Delta variant and officials warn residents in a number of suburbs to “remain vigilant”.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced a major vaccine milestone had been achieved, with sixty per cent of eligible NSW residents now have received two jabs of a Covid-19 vaccine as the state hurtles toward the mark that will trigger a significant relaxation of restrictions.

It means the state is just days away from hitting the 70 per cent double-dose figure which will bring an end to the state’s lockdown.

On Sunday morning Ms Berejiklian said the state was just shy of 60 per cent fully vaccinated, stating she believed that goal would be reached within the next 24 hours.

The 60 per cent milestone was reached on Sunday afternoon just hours after Ms Berejiklian revealed the rate was hovering just below that number.

The nine people who died of Covid overnight included six men and three women.

One person was in their 40s, two in their 60s, two in their 70s and four in their 80s.

Eight of the dead were unvaccinated and one had received a single dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.

Ms Berejiklian said the spread of the virus in Sydney’s west was finally easing but other problem areas were emerging.

“We are seeing case numbers in South Western and Western Sydney continue to have a downward trend, but unfortunately in the Illawarra and Central Coast we are seeing more case numbers than we would like,” she said.

“We ask those communities in particular to remain vigilant.”

NSW Health protection director Jeremy McAnulty said the suburbs of Auburn, Guildford, Punchbowl, Merrylands, Penrith, Bankstown and Liverpool continued to see the highest numbers of cases.

Map of NSW COVID-19 case locations, cases and tests

The 961 new infections on Sunday push the total number of NSW coronavirus cases to more than 58,000 since the start of the pandemic.

Dr McAnulty confirmed 1146 NSW residents were now in hospital with Covid-19, including 222 people in intensive care.

With the 60 per cent fully vaccinated target within reach, Ms Berejiklian said the coverage targets needed to begin to reopen Sydney were looming near.

“There is not long to go before New South Wales starts approaching that 70 per cent double dose figure and I ask everybody to please hold the line,” she said.

“The New South Wales government is very close to finalising our road map for 80 per cent double dose, but also our road map as to when unvaccinated people will be able to participate in greater activity, and we will be releasing that this week.”

The NSW Premier said the state would reach the 80 per cent target very quickly after 70 per cent vaccination coverage was achieved.

“There will only be two to three weeks between 70 and 80 per cent double dose,” she said.