825 new cases in NSW amid plans for lockdown protest

NSW has reported 825 new cases of Covid-19 and  It’s the highest number recorded by any Australian jurisdiction in a 24-hour period. There were also, sadly, three deaths including a man in his 80s, a man in his 90s, and a woman in her 90s. It is the fourth consecutive day NSW has seen Delta variant infections above the 600-case mark.

Of today's record cases, only 149 were linked to known cases or clusters. The isolation status of 637 cases remains under investigation, while 58 were infectious in the community.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said NSW was on track to reach 70 per cent of its population fully vaccinated by the end of October and 80 per cent doses by mid-November. 

 "everybody should get the vaccine now"

"Don't be fussy on the vaccine. Go forth and get your vaccine with any vaccine offered to you," she said.

"Please make sure you do it as soon as possible to protect you and your loved ones and make sure we get quicker to our goals."

Meanwhile, NSW Police officers have flooded Sydney CBD amid plans for an illegal coronavirus lockdown protest. Central Metropolitan Region Commander, Assistant Commissioner Peter Thurtell, said more than 1500 officers have been deployed "to disrupt, prevent and respond to any unauthorised protest activity."

Taxis and Ubers have now been banned from taking people into the area until 3pm and Massive fines are in place, though people travelling for work or medical reasons will be allowed to use the services. Companies who defy the ban risk a maximum fine of half a million dollars, while individuals could be fined up to $100,000, NSW Police, said.

There are currently 516 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 85 people in intensive care, 29 of whom require ventilation.