NSW records 594 new Covid cases and 10 deaths as state approaches 70 per cent vaccination

NSW has recorded 594 new Covid cases with the state creeping ever closer to ‘freedom day’.

Another 594 Covid-19 infections and 10 deaths have been recorded in NSW.

The state is creeping closer to its ‘freedom day’ with 67.7 per cent eligible residents now fully vaccinated.

But the vaccination rate has slowed with previous projections suggesting NSW should have reached the 70 per cent ‘freedom day’ target on Wednesday.

According to tracking website CovidLive, NSW might not reach the important milestone until October 8 and the 80 per cent mark on October 20.

Earlier, newly appointed NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said he was confident the state would achieve a 90 per cent vaccination rate by the end of the year.

NSW Health’s Dr Marianne Gale said more than 90,000 people turned out to get tested.

She said the 10 deaths included seven men and three women.

One person was in their 40s, one person was in their 60s, four people were in their 70s, two people were in their 80s, and two people were in their 90s. Three of those people were fully vaccinated.

The vaccination rate continues to climb. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

Transmission in the state’s Hunter region has been growing with 93 new infections in the region overnight. The Illawarra and Shoalhaven health district had 44 cases.

But the main concern remains Sydney’s southwest with 144 cases and western Sydney with 95 cases.

The new figure comes after several days of a downward trajectory in daily infections as the vaccination rate continues to grow.

The state is tipped to reach its 70 per cent milestone before the week ends meaning ‘freedom day’ is set for Monday. More freedoms will be made available once the state achieves its 80 per cent double dose target.

Newly elected Premier of NSW Dominic Perrottet. Picture: Brook Mitchell/Getty Images

He was also grilled about why unvaccinated people would receive the same freedoms on December 1.

Speaking to 2GB’s Ben Fordham, Mr Perrottet was questioned about how, during a crisis cabinet meeting, he pushed for the unvaccinated to be given a set date for their ‘freedom day’.

The radio host branded the timing of that move as “woeful”.

“We’re now seeing a slow down in vaccination numbers,” Mr Fordham said.

“You also pushed for an early return for unvaccinated people to churches and places of worship.

NSW recorded 594 new locally acquired cases of #COVID19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night. pic.twitter.com/feZv6Avoew

— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) October 6, 2021

“Why have you been so keen to reward those who didn’t do as they were asked?”

Mr Fordham also highlighted the vaccination slowdown and that the long weekend may have contributed to that.

The Premier argued there was always going to be a slowdown in the vaccination rate when the figure reached a certain point.

“I believe we’re going to be well above 90 per cent by the end of the year,” he said.

Originally published as NSW records 594 new Covid cases and 10 deaths as state approaches 70 per cent vaccination