NSW records the highest daily number since pandemic began

NSW records the highest daily number since pandemic began

NSW recorded its biggest daily case numbers since the pandemic began last year, with infections soaring to 239 as tough new rules and restrictions are introduced.

It comes after yesterday’s record of 177 new cases, and one day after Greater Sydney’s lockdown was formally extended by an extra month, until August 28 at the earliest.

Hundreds of thousands of Sydney residents will have strict new restrictions imposed on them, as health authorities race to prevent the Delta strain from getting any further out of hand.

Residents in Fairfield, Liverpool, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Blacktown, Parramatta, Georges River and Campbelltown must now wear a mask any time they step outside their home, and must now stay within a 5km radius unless there are “exceptional circumstances”.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said that applies for shopping, exercise, and anyone who has formed a singles bubble.

The same rules apply to anyone who is an essential worker in one of those LGAs who resides in a different part of the city, meaning they will take the restrictions home with them.

From tomorrow, NSW Police will be given the power to close businesses that flout public health orders, as restrictions are tightened in eight local government areas in Sydney.

Police Commissioner Mick Fuller has indicted further restrictions could still be introduced in the hotspot zones, including curfews and a so-called "ring of steel".

He also flagged that the ADF’s role in enforcement could be beefed up if needed.

"Nothing is off the table between conversations between the Premier and myself," he said.

There was also a new COVID-19 death recorded yesterday. A man in his 80s from south west Sydney died at Royal North Shore Hospital. 

Chief health officer Kerry Chant warned  "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,"

Dr Chant was asked whether it was correct that a quarter of new Covid infections are aged under 19.

While she wasn't sure of that exact figure, she confirmed the majority of cases were young people.

"I would have to check the number in relation to under 19s, but certainly, from memory this morning, about – it changes around each day but a significant proportion, well over 50 per cent, were under 40," she said.

There are 182 people in hospital with the virus. Of those, 54 are in intensive care with 22 on ventilators.