NSW Covid: Case numbers drop to 8389, 18 deaths reported

NSW case numbers and hospitalisations have eased but the state has still reported more Covid deaths.

Daily coronavirus infections in NSW are at their lowest since the Christmas period, while hospitalisations and ICU admissions also continue to ease from the staggering Omicron peak in mid January.

Saturday’s update from NSW Health revealed another 18 people have died with Covid-19, while 2337 patients were in hospital with the virus.

There were 8389 new infections in the latest 24-hour reporting period - a significant drop on Friday’s result of 10,698 infections - and the lowest daily total since December 28.

This included 5300 positive results from rapid antigen tests and 3089 from PCR tests.

NSW Health also said 152 Covid-19 patients remain in intensive care units, slightly down from the previous day.

There are 70 people on ventilators.

Premier Dominic Perrottet says it is inevitable that actual case numbers in the community were higher than was being reported, he was nonetheless pleased with the state’s progress.

“I think there is a lot here in NSW right now in SNW to be optimistic about,” he said.

Saturday’s update comes as the NSW government shows signs of winding back its mandatory booster stance for essential workers. Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images

Mr Perrottet revealed the figures at Sydney Airport, where he also announced regional airline Rex would be expanding its footprint in Sydney with a national hub and growing its operations across the state.

The deal - part of the government’s $250 million Jobs Plus program - will see a reported 2500 jobs created by 2024.

Saturday’s health update comes as the NSW government shows signs of winding back its mandatory booster stance for essential workers.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard told The Guardian that the government will no longer be going ahead with the change.

NSW COVID-19 update – Saturday 5 February 2022

In the 24-hour reporting period to 4pm yesterday:

- 95.5% of people aged 16+ have had one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine
- 94.1% of people aged 16+ have had two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine pic.twitter.com/U3ifGzhisn

— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) February 4, 2022

“Certainly in early January, when the numbers were increasing dramatically off the back of Omicron and before the number of furloughed workers started dropping, as health Minister I was certainly serious about moving towards a mandate position for the third dose,” he told the publication.

Originally published as NSW Covid: Case numbers drop to 8389, 18 deaths reported