The 16 deaths included eight women and eight men aged in their 60s,70s,80s,and 90s. Seven people were from south western Sydney,two were from south eastern Sydney,two were from western Sydney,two were from Sydney’s inner west,one person was from the Central Coast,one was from the South Coast,and one was from northern Sydney.
There are 1927 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital,with 151 people in intensive care,38 of whom require ventilation. There were 98,986 tests conducted.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said 50 million rapid antigen tests had been procured by the state. The new purchase bolsters the already 50 million test reserves,bringing the total to 100 million.
“These tests will be crucial to ensure that we get kids back to school day one,term one. We are finalising our back-to-school plans at the moment. This will be a core part of the plans[of] getting kids back in the classrooms. We are completely committed to doing that,” he said.
Until January 27,singing and dancing will be prohibited in hospitality venues,entertainment facilities and major recreation facilities in NSW,excluding weddings and performances. This includes pubs,clubs,nightclubs,bars and restaurants.
Upcoming major events will be risk assessed,but organisers should assume they can proceed unless contacted by NSW Health.
Other measures introduced late last month – including mandatory indoor masks,a two square metre density limit for hospitality venues,and mandatory QR code check-ins – also remain in force until January 27.
People have been encouraged to use “common sense” by limiting large household gatherings,as well as gathering outdoors where possible.
NSW will also update its mandatory vaccine rules,to require people who were previously required to be double-dosed – including health staff,aviation workers and teachers – to receive their booster when eligible.
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Throughout the latest wave,it has been a requirement for a person to seek out a PCR test to be recorded in the daily case numbers.
This will change this week,when positive rapid antigen tests will be reportable to health authorities through the Service NSW app. A positive rapid test result will not have to be confirmed by a PCR test,and a person with COVID can be linked to health services.
Public health orders are expected to be updated to make the reporting of rapid antigen test results mandatory.
NSW Health Deputy Chief Health Officer Dr Jeremy McAnulty said the new reporting mechanism would help relieve pressure on the health system.
“We are working closely with Service NSW to allow people to register their positive test results and that will help to ensure that people who have registered will be plugged into the health system so that they’ll get advice and if they’re in high-risk groups,be able to have specific additional processes in place,” he said.
“If you have a rapid antigen test,you generally don’t need to have a follow-up PCR test,so that will make it quicker and faster for people to know their status as well as relieving pressure on the testing system.”
He also urged people who tested positive via rapid antigen test to isolate for seven days and inform close contacts to do likewise.
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