COVID-19 Update – Qudos Bank Arena vaccinations expanded to 16-49 year olds, 398 of 1,035 new cases in western Sydney – Saturday, 28 August 2021

NSW recorded 1,035 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.

One new case was acquired overseas in the 24 hours to 8pm last night, and ten previously reported cases have been excluded following further investigation. The total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic is 23,183.

Of the 1,035 locally acquired cases reported to 8pm last night, 398 are from Western Sydney Local Health District (LHD), 316 are from South Western Sydney LHD, 100 are from Sydney LHD, 78 are from Nepean Blue Mountains LHD, 52 are from South Eastern Sydney LHD 42 are from Western NSW LHD, 25 are from Northern Sydney LHD, seven are from Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD, four are from Far West LHD, three new cases for Hunter New England LHD, two new cases for Central Coast LHD and eight cases are yet to be assigned to an LHD.

There have been 17,582 locally acquired cases reported since 16 June 2021, when the first case in this outbreak was reported.  

There are currently 778 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 125 people in intensive care, 52 of whom require ventilation.

There were 129,182 COVID-19 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with the previous day’s total of 118,120.

Healthcare worker in Westmead Hospital ICU

Today it was announced we are supporting one of our own in Westmead Hospital’s ICU – an intensive care nurse.

The nurse is fully vaccinated – a requirement to work in Westmead Hospital’s ICU. The source of the infection is under investigation.

Support is available to colleagues of the nurse during this challenging time for the staff of Westmead Hospital and Western Sydney Local Health District.

Two deaths; one at Westmead Hospital

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

A woman in her 70s from Sydney’s Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District died at Nepean Hospital, after acquiring her infection there earlier this month. Hers is the fourth death linked to an outbreak at the hospital.

A woman in her 80s from western Sydney died at Westmead Hospital.

NSW Health extends its deepest sympathies to their loved ones.

There have been 83 COVID-19 related deaths in NSW since 16 June 2021. There have been 139 in total since the start of the pandemic.

Qudos Bank Arena vaccinations expanded to 16-49 year olds

People 16 up to the age of 49 from areas of concern are now eligible for Pfizer COVID-19 vaccinations at Qudos Bank Arena Vaccination Centre.

Eligibility has also been expanded to include the Camden Local Government Area.

NSW Health administered 61,778 COVID-19 vaccines in the 24 hours to 8pm last night, including 12,527 at the vaccination centre at Sydney Olympic Park.

The total number of vaccines administered in NSW is now 6,571,629, with 2,417,750 doses administered by NSW Health to 8pm last night and 4,153,879 administered by the GP network and other providers to 11:59pm on Thursday 26 August 2021.

Please use the following links for bookings:

Anyone aged 16-49 who live in LGAs of concern can book at Qudos Bank Arena here

Authorised workers who live in LGAs of concern

Childcare, disability, and food workers who live or work in LGAs of concern

Weddings to proceed with five guests

The Health Minister announced today that from 12:01am Friday 3 September, couples will be able to get married but with only five guests in attendance.

Guests are in addition to those necessary for the service.

More details to come.

Sewage detections across regional NSW

NSW Health’s ongoing sewage surveillance program has recently detected fragments of the virus that causes COVID-19 at the sewage treatment plants in Brewarrina, Moree, Merimbula, Baradine, Bonny Hills.

The Brewarrina sewage treatment plant serves approximately 1,100 people, and the Moree sewage treatment plants serves about 10,000 people.

The Merimbula sewage treatment plant serves approximately 15,000 people and the Baradine serves 750 people.

The Bonny Hills sewage treatment plant serves around 7,000 people in Lake Cathie and Bonny Hills.

These detections are a concern as there are no known cases in these areas.

Get tested

Everyone in this area 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 38 clinics open in western Sydney today and more than 460 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.