NSW records 170 new COVID-19 cases with at least 52 infectious in the community

New South Wales has reported 170 new COVID-19 cases on Friday as Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she will be pushing for an earlier delivery of the state's vaccine supply at today's national cabinet meeting.

"It's really important for us to get as many jabs in arms as possible, because more jabs in arms means more freedom for all of us in the quicker we get vaccinated, the quicker we can live more freely."

Of the new cases, 65 cases were in isolation throughout their infectious period and 10 cases were in isolation for part of their infectious period.

Forty-two cases were infectious in the community, and the isolation status of 53 cases remains under investigation.

Ms Berejiklian said people should expect the numbers to fluctuate, but remain high. 

"We expect to see those numbers bounce around in what we do need is not just the stabilisation but of course the numbers to go down."

NSW recorded 170 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.

77 are linked to a known case or cluster â€" 61 are household contacts and 16 are close contacts â€" and the source of infection for 93 cases is under investigation. pic.twitter.com/2h8hq14zyt

â€" NSW Health (@NSWHealth) July 30, 2021

The premier repeated the target of 10 million doses as the threshold for lifting COVID-19 restrictions. 

'Severity of COVID'

NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant urged shoppers and people in the workplace to modify their behaviour, saying she is concerned by the rates of hospitalisation.

"I think this underscores the severity of COVID." 

There are currently 187 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 58 people in intensive care, 24 of whom require ventilation.

There were 95,446 COVID-19 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with the previous day’s record high of 110,962.

"It is critical that we work together to see these numbers drop," Dr Chant said. 

She urged shoppers to spend as little time in-store as possible.

"Shop deliberately and with purpose. Get in, get out.

She said segregation and physical distancing in the workplace and the proper wearing of masks would reduce the chance of transmission in the workplace.

Police to deploy up to 1,000 officers as warning issued to anti-lockdown protesters

NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller warned people against attending anti-lockdown protests over the weekend.

"You will be met by up to 1,000 police who will be ready to deal with you... You have been given plenty of warning."

He said based on last weekend's protests 60 people have been "locked up" and over 200 fines issued. 

"And that will continue. If you turn up, you can expect the same sense of force." 

More details to come...

Share this post