NSW recorded 296 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.
No new cases were acquired overseas, and eight cases have been excluded following further investigation. The total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic is 73,311.
Sadly, NSW Health is reporting the deaths of four men.
Two men were in their 60s, one man was in their 70s, and one man was in their 80s. Two men were from western Sydney, and two men were from south western Sydney.
Three men were not vaccinated and one man had received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.
NSW Health extends its sincere condolences to the families and friends of the men who have died.
There have been 498 COVID-19 related deaths in NSW since 16 June 2021 and 554 in total since the start of the pandemic.
There have been 67,625 locally acquired cases reported since 16 June 2021, when the first case in this outbreak was reported.
There are currently 480 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 119 people in intensive care, 67 of whom require ventilation.
There were 66,740 COVID-19 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with the previous day’s total of 64,118.
To 11.59pm on Friday 22 October 2021 across NSW, 93 per cent of people aged 16 and over had received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 84.4 per cent were fully vaccinated.
In the 12-15 year old age group, 77.6 per cent have had their first dose, and 48.8 per cent are fully vaccinated.
The total number of vaccines administered in NSW is now 12,021,107 with 3,994,205 doses administered by NSW Health to 8pm last night and 8,026,902 administered by the GP network, pharmacies and other providers to 11:59pm on Friday 22 October 2021.
Of the 296 locally acquired cases reported to 8pm last night, 62 are from South Western Sydney Local Health District (LHD), 53 are from Hunter New England LHD, 47 are from Murrumbidgee LHD, 23 are from Mid North Coast LHD, 20 are from Western Sydney LHD, 17 are from Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD, 12 are from South Eastern Sydney LHD, 12 are from Sydney LHD, 11 are from Nepean Blue Mountains LHD, 10 are from Western NSW LHD, six are from Northern Sydney LHD, six are from Southern NSW LHD, five are from Far West LHD, four are from Central Coast LHD, two are from Northern NSW LHD, one is in a correctional setting and five are yet to be assigned to an LHD.
NSW Health's ongoing sewage surveillance program has detected fragments of the virus that causes COVID-19 in sewage samples collected from across NSW, including Armidale, Quirindi, Uralla, Moree and Byron Bay in northern NSW.
Everyone in these areas is urged to monitor for the onset of symptoms, and if they appear, to immediately be tested and isolate until a negative result is received.
It’s important to get tested early because there are various treatments available, especially for those highly vulnerable to poor outcomes and some treatments work best when given early.
Tomorrow the vast majority of students will have returned to classrooms across NSW and we are urging parents to remain vigilant.
Symptoms in children can often be mild. Please keep your children home from school if they have any symptoms of COVID-19 and take them to get tested.
If you haven’t received a vaccination yet, don’t delay. Even if you have had COVID and recovered, you can get vaccinated
If you are directed to get tested for COVID‑19 or self-isolate at any time, you must follow the rules whether or not the venue or exposure setting is listed on the NSW Health website.
It remains vital that anyone who has any symptoms or is a close or casual contact of a person with COVID-19, isolates and is tested immediately. When testing clinics are busy, please ensure you stay in line, identify yourself to staff and tell them that you have symptoms or are a contact of a case.
Please check the NSW Government website regularly, and follow the relevant health advice if you have attended a venue of concern or travelled on a public transport route at the same time as a confirmed case of COVID-19. This list is being updated regularly as case investigations proceed.
There are more than 500 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW, many of which are open seven days a week. To find your nearest clinic visit COVID-19 clinics or contact your GP.
Note: Case counts reported for a particular day may vary over time due to ongoing investigations and case review. *notified from 8pm 22 October 2021 to 8pm 23 October 2021 **from 8pm 17 October 2021 to 8pm 23 October 2021
*notified from 8pm 22 October 2021 to 8pm 23 October 2021
*to 11.59pm 22 October 2021
Video of today’s update