1220 new locally acquired Covid-19 cases in NSW: Gladys Berejiklian

New South Wales is edging closer to its cases peak after recording 1220 new infections of Covid-19 on Tuesday, with cases suddenly soaring in one area.

New South Wales has recorded 1220 new locally acquired cases of Covid-19 and eight deaths, premier Gladys Berejiklian has revealed.

Of the 1,220 new cases reported to 8pm last night, 422 were from western Sydney, 392 were from southwest Sydney, 128 were from Sydney, 89 were from southeast Sydney, 74 were from Nepean Blue Mountains, 27 were from western NSW and 20 were from northern Sydney.

But it is the 22 new cases on the Central Coast which have NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant worried.

There are 97 active cases in the Local Government Area of the Central Coast.

In that area, there is a cluster around Bateau Bay and Berkeley Vale, where there are 23 active cases.

In the postcode of 2250, which includes areas like Gosford, Kariong and Erina, there are 27 active cases.

Central Coast is an area of concern to NSW Health officials.

A map showing the worst areas for Covid-19 transmission in Sydney. Picture: NSW Health

“I want to call out the Central Coast; we’re seeing the number of cases increase on the Central Coast, so please come out and get tested,” she said.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro echoed her pleas.

“The Central Coast has seen a spike of 22 cases and we’re calling out on that community to be vigilant, to get tested, and make sure we continue to see vaccination rates go up,” he said.

NSW Health’s ongoing sewage surveillance program has recently detected fragments of the virus that causes COVID-19 at the sewage treatment plant in Brooklyn, at the gateway between Hornsby and the Central Coast, which serves around 1,200 people.

There are currently 1151 Covid-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 192 people in intensive care – 75 of whom require ventilation.

NSW Health administered 28,812 COVID-19 vaccines overnight, bringing the total number of vaccine doses given to 7,587,842.

Ms Berejiklian said the percentage of the population who had received first doses was now more than 74 per cent.

She noted in some local government areas that are deemed hot spots, the figure was more than 80 per cent.

Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said NSW could reach 90 per cent fully vaccinated, eventually.

“I actually think that we can. Maybe I'm being too optimistic, but I actually think we can,” she said.

People are seen lining up in their cars to get tested at the Covid-19 testing site in Bondi Beach Sydney. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard