NSW Covid: Cases ease slightly to 18,278 as hospitalisations continue to rise

NSW has recorded 18,278 new Covid infections as hospitalisations continue to rise steadily.

The number of new Covid cases in NSW has eased slightly to 18,278, but hospitalisations are now above 1000.

NSW’s daily case numbers hit a record 22,577 on Saturday morning but have fallen back in the 24 hours since.

The number of people in hospital — 1066 patients — is up from 901 on January 1.

NSW #COVID19 update – Sunday 2 January 2022

In the 24-hour reporting period to 8pm last night:

- 95% of people aged 16+ have had one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine
- 93.6% of people aged 16+ have had two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine pic.twitter.com/Rdrsv5lGq1

— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) January 1, 2022

Covid hospitalisations in NSW have doubled in the week since Christmas and are expected to rise even further as a rampant Omicron outbreak tests assurances the state’s health system can manage the surging load.

NSW Health revealed on Friday that health workers classified as close contacts will be permitted to leave self-isolation in exceptional circumstances to ensure hospitals and testing clinics are not disrupted. Picture: Richard Dobson

This is up from 388 hospitalisations reported on Christmas Day and 458 on Boxing Day, while the number of people in intensive care has risen from 52 to 79 in that time.

Victoria recorded 7172 new cases on Sunday down slightly from the daily record 7442 posted on New Year’s Day.

Three more people died, while 472 patients are in hospital.

Staff at the Bondi beach drive through Cove-19 testing site before it opened at 8.30am Sunday. Picture: Damian Shaw

Political opponents have savaged the NSW government in recent days for its handling of the Omicron surge, particularly how it is resourcing an increasingly under-pressure health system.

Premier Dominic Perrottet and Health Minister Brad Hazzard have consistently stated that the state’s health system is in a solid position despite the dramatic rise in infections and mayhem caused by an explosion in testing demands.

However, a decision to pare back isolation requirements for hospital staff has been described as a sign the system is coming under intense pressure.

NSW Health revealed on Friday that health workers classified as close contacts will be permitted to leave self-isolation in exceptional circumstances to ensure hospitals and testing clinics are not disrupted.