Covid: Vaccination rates dramatically increasing

THERE were 753 new cases of covid-19 diagnosed in the past 24 hours.

There are 107 people in intensive care, across the age range, with 95 unvaccinated and only 12 had received their first dose.

Dr Kerry Chant, chief medical officer, said they were aiming to ensure there was not inequity in vaccination coverage and were focusing on the most vulnerable in the community and most likely demographics to spread the virus.

Dr Chant said while the Doherty report highlighted more social interactions were possible at 70 and 80 percent, it is dependent on case numbers being low and if the case numbers are high, it changes the social interactions which can occur.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said there was technologies being developed to allow people to scan in and show their vaccine status “all in one go” explaining, “if you want to do certain things in the future, vaccination will be key as part of that process.”

Deputy Premier John Barilaro highlighted communities in regional New South Wales which had dramatically increased their rates of double vaccination in one week including:

• Walcha – 49.2%; Edward River – 41%; Hay 40%; Gilgandra – 51%.
• To see where you town sits with vaccination rates: Covid: Which towns will get to the pub first?

New cases in regional NSW include:

• 23 Dubbo
• 14 Wilcannia
• 5 Parkes
• 3 Wollongong
• 3 Central Coast
• 2 Burke
• 2 Wellington
• 2 Gilgandra
• 1 Coonamble
• 1 Naromine
• 1 Newcastle