COVID-19 Update – 317 of 830 new COVID cases in NSW are from western Sydney, three more deaths – Sunday, 22 August 2021

NSW recorded 830 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.

Of these locally acquired cases, 137 are linked to a known case or cluster – 118 are household contacts and 19 are close contacts – and the source of infection for 693 cases is under investigation.

Sixty-seven cases were in isolation throughout their infectious period and 19 were in isolation for part of their infectious period. Fifty cases were infectious in the community, and the isolation status of 694 cases remains under investigation.

Of the 830 locally acquired cases reported to 8pm last night, 317 are from Western Sydney Local Health District (LHD), 237 are from South Western Sydney LHD, 82 are from Sydney LHD, 70 are from Nepean Blue Mountains LHD, 47 are from South Eastern Sydney LHD, 36 are from Western NSW LHD, 20 are from Northern Sydney LHD, two are from Far West LHD, seven are from Hunter New England LHD, and 12 cases are yet to be assigned to an LHD.

There have been 12,217 locally acquired cases reported since 16 June 2021, when the first case in this outbreak was reported.  

Sadly, NSW Health has been notified of the deaths of three people who had COVID-19.

A man in his 60s from south west Sydney died at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. He acquired his infection at Canterbury Hospital.

A woman in her 80s from south west Sydney died at Wollongong Hospital.

A man in his 70s from south east Sydney died at St George Hospital, where he acquired his infection. This is the second death linked to the outbreak at St George Hospital.

NSW Health extends its deepest sympathies to their loved ones.

This brings the number of COVID-related deaths to 71 since 16 June, and the number of lives lost to 127 since the beginning of the pandemic.

There are currently 557 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 94 people in intensive care, 31 of whom require ventilation.

There were 206,193 COVID-19 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with the previous day’s total of 124,610.

Get vaccinated

NSW Health administered 44,908 COVID-19 vaccines in the 24 hours to 8pm last night, including 10,307 at the vaccination centre at Sydney Olympic Park. 

The total number of vaccines administered in NSW is now 5,868,974 with 2,116,804 doses administered by NSW Health to 8pm last night and 3,752,170 administered by the GP network and other providers to 11.59pm on Friday 20 August. 

The Qudos Bank Arena Vaccination Centre is vaccinating anyone aged 16-39 from a local government area of concern. There are 120,000 Pfizer doses at Qudos Bank Arena next week alone and bookings are open now. Book here.

Get tested

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 38 testing clinics in western Sydney and over 450 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW, many of which are open seven days a week. To find your nearest clinic visit here or contact your GP.

To book your COVID-19 vaccination, visit nsw.gov.au.