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

New South Wales has registered 344 new local infections of Covid-19 but a large number of those are of particular concern.

New South Wales premier Gladys Berejiklian says it is a concern that a large proportion of the state’s new locally acquired cases were infections in the community.

NSW recorded 344 new locally acquired cases of Covid-19 overnight, premier Gladys Berejiklian revealed.

But concerningly at least 65 were active in the community while the isolation status of 100 cases was still under investigation.

“Around 65 of those were infectious and the community for all or most of their infectious period,” Ms Berejiklian said.

Of the 344 new cases, 115 were linked to a known case or cluster – 97 were household contacts and 18 were close contacts – and the source of infection for 229 cases was under investigation.

“We have seen a surge in the (total) number of cases and we expect that to continue,” she warned.

Members of the public are seen lining up in their cars to have the Covid-19 test at the Bondi Beach drive through testing clinic. Picture: NCA Newswire /Gaye Gerard

Ms Berejiklian also put parts off Sydney’s inner west on notice.

She said she did not want to include it in the list of high-risk Local Government Areas, where restrictions are even tighter, but would watch the area closely.

“In Canterbury-Bankstown the cases are still high but we are seeing (improvements), however adjoining local government areas, (such as the) suburbs of Bayside, Burwood, and the inner west are seeing an increase in cases.

“They aren‘t at high levels yet but we do not want them to get higher. Please note if you live in those suburbs around the Bayside, Burwood and Inner West council,s be on extra alert.

“Come forward for testing. We don’t want to include you in at those local governments of concern but we may have to do if case numbers don't at least stabilise or start going down.”

People around the inner west suburbs such as Burwood, Strathfield and Lilyfield have been put on notice for increasing Covid cases. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

Ms Berejiklian also revealed a man in his 90s and a man in his 30s died after contracting Covid-19.

She said the man in his 30s had other “significant” underlying health conditions and the man in his 90s was not vaccinated.

“Unfortunately, a man in his 30s also died in hospital,” she said. “Again, heartfelt condolences and sympathies to family and friends. We want to stress that the man in his 30s did have other conditions as well. Notwithstanding, he obviously succumbed to COVID.”

There are currently 374 cases admitted to hospital, with 62 people in intensive care, 29 of whom require ventilation.

“It is quite a young profile, three in their 20s, seven in their 30s, six in their 40s, 14 in their 50s, 13 in the 60s, 16 in their 70s, three in their 80s,” NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant said.

Ms Berejiklian also said the Hunter New England region was unlikely to come out of its lockdown due to end on Thursday after it registered 14 cases overnight.

In Dubbo, two cases were recorded and that forced health officials to impose a snap lockdown from 1pm on Wednesday.