NSW Covid updates: 646 new Covid cases, 11 deaths
The chief health officer returned to give NSW its Covid update for the first time since Gladys Berejiklian resigned and warned of a new strain as she revealed 646 new cases and 11 deaths. Follow Friday's blog.
NSW has recorded 646 new Covid cases and 11 more people have died from the virus, NSW's chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant has announced.
This comes as she revealed the details of a new Delta strain emerging in NSW.
Genomic sequencing revealed the new variant, which she said was different to “current strains circulating in Sydney”.
“There’s no indication that this new strain presents any differences regarding transmission, vaccine effectiveness or severity,” Dr Chant said.
“There are currently eight cases identified with this particular Delta strain – seven people in one household and one additional case.
“We’re undertaking some investigations into the source and how the transmission occurred and we’ll update you when any information is available.”
This is the first time Dr Chant returned for a Covid update since Gladys Berejiklian resigned as premier last Friday. NSW Deputy Premier Paul Toole has refuted claims Dr Chant was sidelined.
Follow live updates below.