Of these locally acquired cases, 125 are linked to a known case or cluster – 108 are household contacts and 17 are close contacts.
“But 194 are still under investigation and obviously, that presents challenges for our health staff,” NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said.
“That is why I’m saying to the community, you have a really got to get serious about staying at home.”
Mr Hazzard has repeated his plea for people who are eligible to get vaccinated.
“The great news today is our doses for the first dose on population of 16 and above have reached almost 50 per cent,” he said said.
“That is a very positive step forward.
“For those who are fully vaccinated, we are almost at 22 per cent and we are going up at about five per cent per week, so can I say to everybody out there, we’re not going to beat this virus until unless you get under journey with us.”
There are now 345 people with COVID-19 in hospital, including 56 in intensive care, and 23 on ventilation.
Of the 56 cases in intensive care, four are in their 20s, four in their 30s, three are in their 40s, 19 in their 50s, eight in their 60s, 14 in the 70s, and four in their 80s.
Of the 56 people in ICU, 51 were not vaccinated at all, NSW Health’s Dr Jeremy McAnulty said.
There has also been another five deaths since yesterday bringing the total number of people who have died during the current outbreak to 27.
“These infections were acquired in the community and none of these five deaths were vaccinated,” Dr McAnulty said.
The majority of COVID-19 infections continue to be detected in Sydney’s west and south-west.
Of today’s cases, 112 were in the southwest and 98 were in Sydney’s west.
Two cases of COVID-19 have been identified in Armidale in the NSW Northern Tablelands.
Armidale plunged into lockdown
The new infections have sparked a week-long snap lockdown for the Armidale LGA set to begin at 5pm today.
“I’m sorry to the people of Armidale local council area, I would say to you this is out of care and concern for your area,” Mr Hazzard said.
“If I were living in the area I would not be going out of the house today.
“I would be staying at home. I will be visiting friends, and I will be making sure that, I would be making sure that I protect myself and my family.”
Mr Hazzard has confirmed a person from Newcastle travelled to Armidale sparking the new cases in the area.
He said it was not yet clear whether the person breached COVID-19 rules in travelling to the area.
Newcastle is currently in a week-long lockdown as cases spread outside of Greater Sydney.
More than 300 fines handed down in last day
A total of 335 penalty infringement notices were issued in the last 24 hours to people breaking COVID-19 rules across Greater Sydney.
NSW Deputy Commissioner Gary Warboys noted an incident last night during which four people had gathered around Mrs Macquarie’s Chair.
“They decided together there to purchase some food and sit down and have some sort of picnic and a gathering at that location. It was clearly outside the public health orders,” he said.
Police are focusing on compliance in the Canterbury-Bankstown and Campsie area.
“Commissioner Fuller has made it very clear last night that we will double out our efforts in and around that area of Canterbury-Bankstown and Campsie … where people unfortunately do not seem to be taking notice of the warnings,” Deputy Commissioner Warboys said.
“Police will be very strong in terms of their approach to people that contravene the public health orders particularly over this next 48 hours.
Coronavirus detected in Dubbo sewage
Traces of COVID-19 have been detected in Dubbo in regional NSW.
No positive cases have been detected in the area however residents are being urged to get tested.
“Take it very seriously. If there is a case there, we need to find it to ensure the community is safe,” Dr McAnulty said.
Authorities are also increasingly concerned about the Canterbury-Bankstown LGA.
“This now is the number one LGA for cases with 92 cases from yesterday,” Dr McAnulty said.
A total of 489 cases were identified in the LGA last week alone.
“People in the Canterbury-Bankstown LGA, please take extreme caution and follow the stay-at-home roles, follow all the rules for authorised workers, keep each other safe,” Dr McAnulty said.
Apartment block in south-west Sydney locked down
Meanwhile, an apartment block in Sydney’s south-west, the current epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak, has also been locked down.
The building in Liverpool has notched up over a dozen positive COVID-19 cases, prompting authorities to take action.
“There are fourteen confirmed cases of COVID-19 who live in an apartment block at 29-33 Campbell Street in Liverpool,” a South Western Sydney Local Health District spokesperson said in a statement.
“Further investigation is on-going to determine the number of affected households.”
All residents in the block are now considered close contacts and are required to isolate for 14 days and undergo repeat testing.
“Testing of residents will be done in their apartments, as they cannot leave during their isolation period,” the spokesperson added.
“The NSW Police Force and private security are ensuring the safety of the building. Food and other services, including daily welfare checks, will be provided to residents safely during their 14-day quarantine period.”
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian warned yesterday that the worst is yet to come in terms of case numbers, despite weeks of lockdown.