NSW records 623 new virus cases and six deaths

NSW has recorded 623 new Covid infections and six deaths in a six-week low as the state creeps closer to a major vaccine milestone.

Another 623 new Covid-19 infections have been recorded in NSW while six people have died with the virus.

The number has declined again since Sunday’s figure of 667 when the state recorded a huge drop in daily cases.

The number of new cases is at a six-week low; the last time the state saw such a number was on August 17.

NSW Health said the six deaths included three men and three women. One person was in their 40s, three were in their 60s, one was in their 70s and one was in their 90s.

Five were from Sydney’s west or southwest and one person was from the Blue Mountains and was a resident at Hawkesbury Living Nursing Home where there was a Covid outbreak.

Sydney’s west and southwest continue to be areas of concern with 144 infections recorded in the southwest and 103 in Western Sydney overnight.

NSW recorded 623 new locally acquired cases of #COVID19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night. pic.twitter.com/ZZIAbQh2gY

— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) October 4, 2021

There are 959 people in hospital with 193 people in intensive care, 97 of which are on a ventilator.

While case numbers are steadily declining, the vaccine rate is surging.

The state is creeping closer to its long-awaited ‘freedom day’ with close to 70 per cent of eligible residents fully vaccinated.

NSW is expected to reach the 70 per cent double dose milestone on October 6 meaning some freedoms should be granted on October 11.

The official ‘freedom day’ is expected to happen about a week later when 80 per cent of eligible people are double vaccinated.

According to the latest figures from NSW Health, 88.4 per cent of eligible people have had one dose and 67.1 per cent are fully vaccinated.

Cases continue to steadily decline in NSW. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gaye Gerard

Health Minister Brad Hazzard earlier said Gladys Berejiklian’s resignation announcement would not impact the state’s planned road map out of lockdown.

“She has been absolutely critical to the team, but that doesn’t mean the health team and the rest of the government won’t continue to do what we need to do,” he said.

chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant also praised the outgoing Premier on Sunday.

“The Premier has worked tirelessly through the pandemic and her commitment to the community is so evident,” she said.

Originally published as NSW records 623 new virus cases and six deaths