Covid update: 121 fines issued in regional NSW

NEW South Wales recorded 98 new local Covid-19 cases over the last 24 hours, with 20 cases infectious while in the community.

Eighty-two Covid-19 cases are currently in hospital and 24 of those are in intensive care.

No active Covid-19 cases have been recorded in the Upper Hunter, however police have noticed a substantial increase in regional residents who are not obeying public health orders.

New South Wales Deputy Police Commissioner, Gary Worboys, revealed out of the 201 Covid-19 infringement notices issued in the last 24 hours, 121 were issued in regional New South Wales.

“What I want to emphasis today, that the strategy the police are working on is not a ring of steel, we are not operating on a ring of steel around Greater Sydney, not around any LGA, not around south west Sydney,” Deputy Commissioner Worboys said.

“When we look at the spread of those infringement notices, it shows the concentration of police and their efforts around the pandemic, is right across the state of New South Wales,” he said.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian urged lockdown families to remain within their household, as household contacts continue to be most at risk of infection.

Covid-19 case map. Supplied by NSW Health.

“If we can just stress, be extra extra careful in relation to workplaces and in relation to your own family members who don’t remain in your household,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“We won’t see the effect of the harsher restrictions for at least four or five days,” she said.

Dr Kerry Chant urged those who are eligible to receive a Covid-19 vaccine, to book a jab appointment as soon as possible.

“Vaccination is critical. Can I just urge everyone in the community who is eligible for the vaccine, to go forth and make an appointment,” Dr Chant said.

“I would urge anyone particularly over 60 to go and get an AstraZeneca vaccine from their general practice,” she said.