NSW Covid updates: 291 new cases with worse daily highs expected

NSW has been warned daily Covid-19 cases will climb higher than today's 291 record, as concern grows over infection numbers in Canterbury-Bankstown with extra police now set to patrol the LGA. Follow our live blog.

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NSW has been warned to brace for even higher infection numbers in coming days after the state recorded 291 locally-acquired cases of Covid-19 overnight.

In what is now the state's worst day in the pandemic, Premier Gladys Berejiklian said a number of cases were still under examination but at least 50 were infectious in the community.

"I do want to foreshadow that given this high number of cases, we are likely to see this trend continue for the next few days so I want everybody to prepare themselves for higher case numbers in the next few days," Ms Berejiklian said.

Tragically, a woman in her 60s from south-west Sydney died at Liverpool Hospital overnight, taking the COVID-related deaths during the current outbreak to 22.

NSW has also confirmed 12 staff members at KFC Punchbowl in Sydney’s south-west have tested positive to COVID-19.

Anyone who attended the venue at 1323/1325 Canterbury Rd at any time from July 27- August 2 is a close contact and must get tested and isolate for 14 days.

Ms Berejiklian said cases were “increasing the most” in the Canterbury-Bankstown local government area.

“All the suburbs in the Canterbury-Bankstown area really need to be on extra alert,” she said.

“There will be more police on the ground, we are seeing too many people frequent certain shopping areas and perhaps not doing the right thing.”

Of the 304 people hospitalised,  50 are in intensive care and 22  require ventilation.

Two  of the new cases were recorded in the Newcastle area, taking the region's total to seven. Central Coast cases remain at nine.

Of the 291 locally acquired cases, 120 are linked to a known case or cluster  and the source of infection for 171 cases is under investigation.

Forty-eight cases were infectious in the community, and the isolation status of 104 cases is under investigation.

It comes as younger, mobile people are prioritised by the NSW government as it directs a bonus supply of Pfizer Covid-19 vaccines from the national stockpile.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said NSW will start to receive an extra 180,000 doses of ­Pfizer on Monday.

It will be sent to locked down local government areas in Sydney plus regional communities that gave up their jabs to help high school students.

Follow live updates below.

Originally published as NSW Covid updates: 291 new cases with worse daily highs expected