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Live Breaking News: Covid 'public health enemy' defies NSW Police again

Premier Gladys Berejiklian says we must now "accept the reality of Delta", and that we "can't pretend" that lockdown is the answer.

Alexis CareyAlexis Carey
@carey_alexis
less than 2 min read
August 23, 2021 - 2:01PM
New South Wales records 818 new local COVID-19 cases

Embattled NSW is "racing against time" to get as many jabs in arms as possible as cases explode and the death toll steadily climbs.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said it was crucial to "accept the reality of Delta" and that we "can't pretend we're somehow extremely special from everywhere else in the world and we can't pretend that any amount of lockdown alone is going to help the situation".

"The vaccinations are key. We've been saying that from the outset. We said it months ago," she said.

"And that's why we are really racing against time to get the vaccine rates up, whilst we're dealing with the current outbreak.

"And of course, we want to see those case numbers go down. But for us, the more important figure is getting those vaccination rates up and not going through the emotional rollercoaster every day.

"Because once we get to 70 per cent, the Doherty report says you enter a period of transition. The Doherty report recommends that we don't talk about cases but you focus on people in hospital and the vaccination rates which is what matters.

"That's what we'll be doing according to the national plan that every single state has signed up to."

Read on for the latest NSW Covid news. You can find our Victorian Covid blog here. 

Updates

Embattled NSW is "racing against time" to get as many jabs in arms as possible as cases explode and the death toll steadily climbs.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said it was crucial to "accept the reality of Delta" and that we "can't pretend we're somehow extremely special from everywhere else in the world and we can't pretend that any amount of lockdown alone is going to help the situation".

"The vaccinations are key. We've been saying that from the outset. We said it months ago," she said.

"And that's why we are really racing against time to get the vaccine rates up, whilst we're dealing with the current outbreak.

"And of course, we want to see those case numbers go down. But for us, the more important figure is getting those vaccination rates up and not going through the emotional rollercoaster every day.

"Because once we get to 70 per cent, the Doherty report says you enter a period of transition. The Doherty report recommends that we don't talk about cases but you focus on people in hospital and the vaccination rates which is what matters.

"That's what we'll be doing according to the national plan that every single state has signed up to."

Greater Western Sydney is still battling the highest number of cases in NSW, as the state grapples with its ever-growing outbreak.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said western and south western Sydney contained the suburbs of “greatest concern”.

She said Guildford, Auburn, Greystanes, Blacktown, Greenacre and surrounding suburbs still had the highest number of cases.

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The Premier has again described cases of entire families being struck down with Covid due to the transmissibility of the Delta variant.

She urged the community to come forward and get vaccinated to protect their loved ones.

"We can't do it on our own. The higher vaccination rates will put less people in hospital. Will prevent families succumbing," she said.

"What breaks our heart is the because of the high transmissibility of Delta, once it gets into a household, everybody is getting it.

"If the household is not vaccinated, if the adults aren't vaccinated in that household, everybody in that household is getting it.

"And when you have in some situation, multiple generations living in the one home, you're seeing everybody who is not vaccinated succumb.

"And that's why we really urge the community to work with us, as you have been."

On a positive note, Ms Berejiklian said NSW was on track to meet the target of six million vaccinations around one week ahead of schedule.

"We are up to 5.9 million jabs in New South Wales. I set a target of 6 million by the end of the month," she said.

"We will be at least one week ahead of schedule."

Of today's 818 locally acquired cases, 120 are linked to a known case or cluster – 94 are household contacts and 26 are close contacts.

However, in a worrying sign, the source of infection for 698 cases is under investigation.

Meanwhile, 47 people were in isolation throughout their infectious period and 15 were in isolation for part of their infectious period. 42 were infectious in the community, and the isolation status of 714 cases remains under investigation.

There are currently 586 Covid-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 100 people in intensive care, 32 of whom require ventilation.

An intensive care specialist from Nepean Hospital, Dr Huong Nguyen, has given a sobering warning as the number of young people affected by Covid skyrockets.

"What has worried us over recent weeks as the increasing number of patients admitted to intensive care who are younger," she said.

"They are staying in intensive care for longer, and they are needing care that cannot be provided anywhere else on the wards.

"There are those who are on breathing machines and on heart and lung machines.

"What is really worrying is the number of young patients who are coming in. Up to 25 per cent have been less than 40."

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has confirmed 818 new Covid cases were recorded overnight.

It comes as 830 new cases were recorded on Sunday.

The NSW Premier has described today's 818 cases as "another huge number", and has warned that "at least" 42 people were infectious in the community.

That's a worrying indication cases will continue to climb in the days ahead.

The PM is insisting on sticking with the national plan to reopen once we reach 70 to 80 per cent vaccination, and has outlined the "heavy toll" ongoing lockdowns are taking.

“Once you get to 70 per cent of your eligible population being vaccinated, and 80 per cent…the plan sets out we have to move forward,” he said.

"This cannot go on forever. This is not a sustainable way to live in this country, without those freedoms that we all cherish."

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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/national/breaking-news/live-breaking-news-nsw-and-sydney-lockdown-updates-and-covid-case-numbers/live-coverage/9896b48fde7b843cb4ead70c735df633