NSW Covid cases: Camden in top three LGAs for vaccinations

As Macarthur continues to rise in new cases of the Delta strain with a school having to close after becoming infected, one LGA is leading the pack with more than 91 per cent of residents vaccinated.

Vaccination rates in Sydney’s south west are soaring as the fully vaccinated residents are gearing up to taste some freedom in coming months.

Camden has become one of just three Sydney councils where vaccination rates have exceeded more than 90 per cent of eligible residents with federal data revealing it is sitting at 91.5 per cent first-dose coverage.

Among the Sydney metropolitan area, Camden is sitting comfortably in second position for vaccination rates, behind the Hills Shire at 93.3 per cent and in front of Kur-ring gai at 90.6 per cent.

In just one week, Camden has vaccinated more than seven per cent of the population, pushing it from fourth highest LGA to second.

A total of 180,149 people have received their first jab of the vaccine in Macarthur. Picture: Adam Yip

They are closely followed by Blacktown which has ramped up vaccinations significantly to 89.5 per cent and Hornsby sitting at 88.9 per cent.

Macarthur MP Dr Mike Freelander took to Facebook to celebrate the major milestone.

“Residents are leading the charge when it comes to rolling up their sleeves and getting vaccinated," Dr Freelander said.

"As of yesterday, 91.5 per cent of eligible Camden LGA residents have had their first dose, and 87.1 per cent of Campbelltown residents have had theirs.

"Thank you Macarthur, and a massive thank you to the health care workers and support staff who are keeping us all safe."

The new data comes as NSW recorded 1351 new locally transmitted cases of Covid-19 on Thursday and 12 deaths.

Case numbers in the Macarthur region have almost halved in the past week, with 761 active cases recorded on Thursday, including 463 in Campbelltown, 227 in Camden and 31 in the Wollondilly Shire.

Cars line for Covid testing in Campbelltown, South West of Sydney. Picture: Jeremy Piper

While vaccination rates for first doses are soaring, almost 50 per cent of residents across Campbelltown and Camden have received their second dose as well.

In Campbelltown, 47.9 per cent of residents are fully vaccinated, while 49.4 per cent of Camden’s residents have both doses.

Member for Hume Angus Taylor said Wollondilly isn’t sitting far behind with up to 90 per cent getting their first dose.

“Locals are coming forward in record numbers to get vaccinated and leading the way.”

Residents are continuing to do their part by attending the Macquarie Fields vaccination hub and multiple clinics across the region.

Parents at Oran Park Public School were forced to get their children tested after texts were sent informing them their children are casual contacts more than a week since the infected child attended the school.

Parents received text messages from the school as late as September 5 from NSW Health being informed their children may have been exposed to the virus on August 27.

“A person who attended Oran Park Public School on August 27 has tested positive for Covid-19,” the text reads.

NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro speaks to the media during a COVID-19 press conference in Sydney. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

“Your child has been identified as a casual contact and should be tested for Covid-19 as soon as possible and self-isolate until they receive a negative result.”

The school was forced to shut down and undergo deep cleaning as a result of the infected case.

The late notification from NSW Health lead community members questioning if it is the reason for more case numbers in the area.

“Is this the reason we have so many new local cases daily, because people aren’t being questioned earlier?” Christine Ellison said.

While case numbers and vaccination rates are surging, locals may have a reason to celebrate with October 18 finally set as “freedom day”, when NSW is set to hit 70 per cent double-dose vaccination rates and restrictions begin to ease.

Under a plan signed off by crisis cabinet, hitting that threshold will allow strict lockdown measures to end, allowing ­Sydney­siders to gather ­together again, eat out, and go back to the shops.

Senior ministers approved the plan which will see freedoms begin to return as soon as NSW reaches the 70 per cent double-dose threshold in as little as six weeks.

Macarthur residents are urged to continue to be vigilant and get tested if they have any symptoms at all.