21 October 2021

NSW recorded 372 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.

Two new cases were acquired overseas, and 16 cases have been excluded following further investigation. The total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic is 72,371.

Sadly, NSW Health is reporting the death of one man in his 50s from south-eastern Sydney who died at Sutherland Hospital. He had received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

NSW Health extends its sincere condolences to his loved ones.

There have been 487 COVID-19 related deaths in NSW since 16 June 2021 and 543 in total since the start of the pandemic.

There have been 66,686 locally acquired cases reported since 16 June 2021, when the first case in this outbreak was reported.  

There are currently 523 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 124 people in intensive care, 64 of whom require ventilation.

There were 86,235 COVID-19 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with the previous day’s total of 88,664.

CasesCount
Confirmed cases (including interstate residents in NSW health care facilities) 72,371
Deaths (in NSW from confirmed cases) 543
Total tests carried out
18,969,394
Total vaccinations administered in NSW11,822,164

To 11.59pm on Tuesday 19 October 2021 across NSW, 92.5 per cent of people aged 16 and over had received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 82.3 per cent were fully vaccinated.

In the 12-15 year old age group, 76.1 per cent have had their first dose, and 40.9 per cent are fully vaccinated.

The total number of vaccines administered in NSW is now 11,822,164, with 3,956,157 doses administered by NSW Health to 8pm last night and 7,866,007 administered by the GP network, pharmacies and other providers to 11:59pm on Tuesday 19 October 2021.

Of the 372 locally acquired cases reported to 8pm last night, 80 are from South Western Sydney Local Health District (LHD), 74 are from Hunter New England LHD, 51 are from Murrumbidgee LHD, 26 are from South Eastern Sydney LHD, 25 are from Sydney LHD, 24 are from Western Sydney LHD, 22 are from Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD, 16 are from Mid North Coast LHD, 16 are from Northern Sydney LHD, 12 are from Central Coast LHD, six are from Nepean Blue Mountains LHD, four are from Northern NSW LHD, three are from Far West LHD, two are from Western NSW LHD, one is in a correction setting and 10 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 Lightning Ridge, Armidale, Uralla, Inverell and Nyngan, where there are no known cases currently.

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.

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.

Likely source of confirmed COVID-19 cases in NSW

Likely source of infectionCases past 24 hours*Cases past 7 days** All cases
Overseas2 5 3,481
Interstate0 0 110
Locally acquired372 2,196 68,780
Total 374 2,201 72,371

Note: Case counts reported for a particular day may vary over time due to ongoing investigations and case review.
*notified from 8pm 19 October 2021 to 8pm 20 October 2021
 **from 8pm 14 October 2021 to 8pm 20 October 2021

COVID-19 vaccination update

COVID-19 vaccination doses administered by NSW HealthDoses past 24 hours* All doses
NSW Health – first doses 1,6472,186,564
NSW Health – second doses 12,2061,769,526
NSW Health – third doses 2167
Total 13,874 3,956,157

*notified from 8pm 19 October 2021 to 8pm 20 October 2021

NSW COVID-19 vaccination rate Total* (ages 16 and over) Total* (ages 12-15)
 All providers – first doses 92.5%76.1%
 All providers – fully vaccinated 82.3%40.9%

*to 11.59pm 19 October 2021

Video of today’s update