Covid-19 NSW: State records second day of 20,000 cases

Covid cases in NSW have continued to surge, with more than 20,000 new infections recorded on Friday.

The spread of coronavirus cases in NSW has risen by another 20,000 cases as the new Omicron sub-variant moves quickly through the community.

The state recorded 20,050 positive tests in the past 24 hours, including 12,355 self-reported RAT tests.

COVID-19 update – Friday 18 March 2022

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

- 95.9% of people aged 16+ have had one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine
- 94.5% of people aged 16+ have had two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine pic.twitter.com/ssJ143lxkm

— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) March 17, 2022

An additional 24 people were admitted to hospital on Thursday – bringing the number of hospitalised cases to 1060.

Six deaths were recorded in the 24 hours to 4pm on Wednesday and 32 people are being treated in intensive care units.

More than 40 per cent of people aged 16 and over are yet to receive the additional protection of a booster vaccination. Picture: Tim Hunter

Daily cases have accelerated rapidly due to the highly infectious nature of the new BA. 2.2 subvariant.

Before this week, cases had not exceeded 16,000 throughout the beginning of March.

There have now been more than 2000 Covid deaths in NSW.

More than 40 per cent of the population aged over 16 years old is yet to receive their booster dose of the vaccine.