NSW records 11,201 new Covid-19 cases, three new deaths on Wednesday

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has made an urgent plea on isolation rules after infections soared to a record 11,201 new cases.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has called for a nationally consistent approach to isolation rules after a record 11,201 new Covid-19 cases were confirmed in his state.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has called a snap meeting of national cabinet on Thursday, with testing clinics across the country overrun and thousands of people spending their holiday period in isolation after contracting the virus or being exposed to it.

State and territory leaders will discuss a range of problems relating to the rampant spread of the virus fuelled by the Omicron variant and the resulting pressure on the test, trace and isolate measures.

Mr Perrottet said he would like to see a consistent approach to a number of these issues.

“I spoke with the Prime Minister this morning and obviously we’ll be having national cabinet tomorrow,” he told reporters on Wednesday.

“I’m looking forward to having a discussion in relation to changes to be made in relation to close contact definitions and isolation periods.

“I certainly believe it would be best if we had a national approach and I look forward to having those discussions as we move forward through the meeting tomorrow.”

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has stood by the decision to scrap restrictions on December 15, before some of them were swiftly reinstated. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Simon Dallinger

NSW Health and government officials are mulling a proposal to reduce the isolation period for infected people who do not have symptoms.

Under the plan, the time spent in isolation would be slashed from 10 days after receiving their first test result to just five days.

The change would form part of a quarantine overhaul under way in NSW to minimise disruption caused by isolation requirements with comprehensive vaccine coverage but very high daily case numbers.

Australia’s chief health officers are reportedly considering shortening isolation periods across the states and territories as the country transitions to living with the virus in the new year.

There are 625 people in hospital in NSW with Covid-19, with 61 of those in intensive care, while the state recorded another three deaths of people with the virus on Wednesday.

Hospital admissions increased by 68 from the 557 recorded on Tuesday, while ICU presentations rose by one.

Cases skyrocketed by 5139 from the 6062 reported on Tuesday, to make Wednesday’s figures the highest number of daily infections ever recorded in any Australian state or territory.

It is also the first time cases have been recorded in five figures and the first time more than 7000 cases have been recorded in a single day.

NSW chief health officer Kerry Chant said the huge spike in cases reflected a lag in testing over the Christmas weekend and that the numbers would “jump around a little bit”.

“But we are continuing to see a rise in cases of (the Omicron variant),” she said.

Authorities continue to urge people only to come forward for PCR testing if they have symptoms or have been directed to by public health officials.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the state was moving into “another major stage” of the pandemic with the highly transmissible Omicron variant driving the surge in cases.

But he said there was still unnecessary strain on testing.

“The worried well should not be lining up for PCR tests. People who are going to Queensland should not be lining up for PCR tests. We need to take the pressure off our pathology laboratories,” he said.

He and Mr Perrottet urged people to go out and get their booster vaccine shots and to make use of the NSW vaccination hubs if their GPs are closed over the festive period.

Of the over 16 population, 93.5 per cent are double-dose vaccinated while 95 per cent have had at least one shot.

There were 157,758 tests conducted in the 24 hours to 8pm on Tuesday.

NSW pathology clinics are under extreme pressure processing hundreds of thousands of weekly PCR tests. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Victoria has also broken its record for daily cases on Wednesday, with 3767 new infections recorded, as well as five deaths.

There are now 397 infected people in hospital with 62 active in intensive care and 28 on a ventilator.

More than 92 per cent of eligible Victorians are fully vaccinated and the state hosts 19,994 active cases.

A total of 75,132 tests were taken yesterday and 535 vaccines were administered at state hubs.

PCR testing sites in both states have been under immense pressure over the festive period, with long queues waiting as soon as some sites open and many people reporting lengthy wait times for results.

Victorian chief health officer Brett Sutton has asked travellers to get PCR tests in the afternoons. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

Victorian chief health officer Brett Sutton asked the state’s residents who need a negative Covid test in order to travel interstate to get tested in the afternoon in order to shorten the extensive wait times.

The chief health officer made the plea, asking travellers to avoid the “busier morning period” and take pressure of the embattled system.

“We kindly ask people who are getting a PCR test for travel purposes to get tested after 12pm daily,” he said.

“This will help reduce testing demand for symptomatic people and contacts during the busier morning period.”

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced on Wednesday morning that arrivals into the state would be able to use a negative rapid antigen test to satisfy border pass requirements from January 1.

Travellers into Queensland will no longer be required to show a negative PCR test, following a barrage of criticism from the NSW government.

Originally published as NSW records 11,201 new Covid-19 cases, three new deaths on Wednesday