NSW records 2501 new Covid cases, no new deaths

NSW has recorded 2501 new Covid cases – a small dip in the number of daily infections. There were no deaths recorded.

NSW has recorded its first drop in daily Covid cases since the start of the month.

The state recorded 2501 new infections and no new deaths after 2566 infections were recorded on Sunday.

The number of people needing treatment for the virus remains low – there are 33 people in ICU and 261 are in hospital.

It comes as Sydneysiders face an anxious wait for testing ahead of Christmas Day on Saturday.

Mother-of-five Natasha Raine spent hours trying four different clinics to get a Covid swab after her son Charlie tested positive to the virus, unaware that it would take 56 hours more to get the final results and throw Christmas plans in jeopardy.

Heavily delayed waiting times to receive Covid-19 test results are leaving eager holiday-makers scrambling at the last minute to legally travel intrastate and across state borders.

Ms Raine waited another eight hours to obtain her negative Covid-19 test results after the rest of the household had already received their results in 48 hours.

Natasha and Angus Raine with their children Weenie, Max and Heidi (from left) hope that their second test results arrive in time for their Christmas holiday in the Southern Highlands. Picture: Jonathan Ng

The Raine family had their second routine Covid-19 test on Sunday at Rushcutters Bay Park Pop-Up Clinic with hopes of knowing the results before leaving for the Southern Highlands on Friday to spend Christmas there.

“We are desperate to have those results by Christmas. We hope to get these results by tomorrow,” Ms Raine said.

“(The first time), it was stressful because I was the only one who didn’t get it back for ages. They (NSW Health) assured me it would be 48 hours.

“It was terrible. I worried I was positive, so I rang the clinic and was on hold for two and a half hours, then my text came through.”

Other travellers have taken to social media to express their confusion and frustration about testing requirements and the lengthy wait in getting results back.

Flying in from the Sunshine Coast, Ian Pratt had to extend a two-day business trip to Sydney by an extra day to accommodate for getting a PCR test required to re-enter Queensland.

“To get test results back in time, I need to come to Sydney a day early, rush from the airport (and go) straight to the PCR testing centre to line up for three hours,” he wrote on Wednesday.

“We’ve had almost two years to get ready for this, and this is the best system they could come up with.”

NSW Health warns on its website tests can take up to 72 hours.

A spokesperson said on Sunday “NSW Health works closely with private testing labs across the state”.

“NSW Health is closely monitoring the demand for testing and has the capacity to

extend opening hours, introduce additional drive-through sites and establish extra

pop-up clinics should the need arise.”