NSW Covid updates: 345 new cases, two deaths

Two men, both aged in their 90s, have died from Covid as NSW recorded 345 new cases and three more LGAs prepare to be placed under stricter rules. Read our Covid blog.

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Two men have died from Covid overnight as NSW recorded 345 new cases on a record day of testing where almost  152,000 people swabbed for the virus.

One of the men, aged in his 90s from Sydney's southwest, died at Liverpool Hospital. The second man, also aged in his 90s, died at Royal North Shore Hospital and was an aged care resident at the Wyoming residential facility in Summer Hill.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said both men had "some level of vaccination." One of the men had received two doses of Pfizer and one had received the first AstraZeneca jab.

At least 60 of the new cases were infectious in the community.

NSW recorded 345 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.

Of these locally acquired cases, 128 are linked to a known case or cluster – 101 household contacts & 27 close contacts – & the source of infection for 217 cases is under investigation. pic.twitter.com/aphtK5nZfO

— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) August 12, 2021

Three more LGAs, Bayside, Strathfield and Burwood, will be added to the growing list of high-risk Sydney areas under harsh lockdown rules from 5pm tonight.

Residents who live in the Bayside suburbs of Bexley, Banksia and Rockdale and those in the Inner West and Camden are urged to remain vigilant for symptoms and get tested.

There were no cases reported in Armidale, Tamworth or the Northern Rivers however five cases were detected in Dubbo.

In the Hunter and Upper Hunter, lockdown will be extended by another week.

Follow below for Thursday morning's updates.