To Thursday 6 January across NSW, 95.1 per cent of people aged 16 and over have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 93.7 per cent have received two doses.
Of the people aged 12 to 15, 81.5 per cent have received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 78.1 per cent have received two doses.
The total number of vaccines administered in NSW is now 13,959,609 with 4,462,027 administered by NSW Health to 8pm last night and 9,497,582 administered by the GP network, pharmacies and other providers to 11.59pm on Thursday 6 January 2022.
NSW Health encourages everyone who is eligible to book into a NSW Health vaccination clinic or another provider without delay through the COVID-19 vaccine clinic finder.
Booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine are now available for people aged 18 and over. People aged 18 years and over are eligible for a booster if they had their second dose at least four months ago. We urge people to get their booster dose as soon as they are eligible, to best protect themselves, their loved ones and the community from the ongoing transmission of COVID-19. We also strongly recommend that people aged 12 years and over who are severely immunocompromised have a third primary dose of vaccine from two months after their second dose.
NSW Health vaccination clinics across the state will begin to administer the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to children aged five to 11 years old from Monday January 10. NSW Health is encouraging parents and caregivers to make a booking for vaccination at any NSW Health vaccination clinic, at a general practitioner, or a community pharmacy.
Sadly, NSW Health is reporting the deaths of nine people with COVID-19, four women and five men aged in their 50s, 70s, and 90s.
Five people were from south western Sydney, two were from south eastern Sydney, one person was from western Sydney and one person was from Newcastle.
NSW Health expresses its sincere condolences to their loved ones.
There are currently 1,795 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 145 people in intensive care, 40 of whom require ventilation.
There were 116,915 COVID-19 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with the previous day's total of 112,725.
NSW recorded 45,098 new cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.
55 COVID-19 cases have been excluded following further investigation, bringing the total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic to 425,404.
The NSW Government has announced a range of precautionary measures to provide additional support for the health system and community ahead of an anticipated peak in COVID cases later this month.
To alleviate pressure on the hospital system and staff, the usual holiday suspension of non-urgent elective surgery will be extended through to February. Private hospital capacity will be utilised where needed, as was the case during the Alpha and Delta outbreaks.
Public health orders will also be updated next week to include a requirement that people report their positive rapid antigen test (RAT) results, to link people with COVID-19 to health support and advice.
From 8 – 27 January, 2022, singing and dancing is prohibited in hospitality venues (including pubs, clubs, nightclubs, bars, and restaurants), entertainment facilities, and major recreation facilities. This prohibition does not apply for weddings, or for students and instructors and performers in the settings listed above.
People are at risk of developing COVID-19 for 14 days after they were last in contact with a COVID-positive person, so it is important to take precautions during this time. While most people will become positive within the first week after exposure, around a quarter of people exposed to COVID-19 will develop their infection in the following seven days. If you have had a high-risk interaction with someone who has COVID-19, it is important to exercise caution and avoid high-risk settings and large indoor gatherings for 14 days after you last had contact with them.
Of the 45,098 cases reported to 8pm last night, 7,970 are from South Western Sydney Local Health District (LHD), 6,972 are from Western Sydney LHD, 6,413 are from South Eastern Sydney LHD, 4,930 are from Sydney LHD, 4,432 are from Hunter New England LHD, 4,392 are from Northern Sydney LHD, 1,788 are from Nepean Blue Mountains LHD, 1,728 are from Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD, 1,691 are from Central Coast LHD, 1,154 are from Northern NSW LHD, 1,059 are from Western NSW LHD , 779 are from Murrumbidgee LHD, 664 are from Mid North Coast LHD, 441 are from Southern NSW LHD, 30 are from Far West LHD, 37 are in correctional settings and 618 are yet to be assigned to an LHD.
If you are directed to get tested for COVID‑19 or self-isolate at any time, you must follow the self-isolation rules.
If you have any COVID-19 symptoms it is still important that you have a test and self-isolate until you receive a negative test result.
There are 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.
*to 11.59pm 6 January 2022
*notified from 8pm 6 January 2022 to 8pm 7 January 2022.
Video of today’s update.