‘Do better’: Gladys Berejiklian fires up over new cases after infections spike again

The NSW Premier has handed down some tough warnings to Sydney residents during a fiery press conference after cases spiked.

Gladys Berejiklian has told Sydneysiders they must “do better’ to help bring down case numbers after NSW recorded another 110 infections.

Forty-three of those new cases were infectious in the community, sparking fears and frustrations that people don’t understand the rules.

While the premier acknowledged most of the infectious people who were out and about in the community were not doing the wrong thing given they did not have symptoms, she said people should be limiting their movements regardless.

“We have done incredibly well in keeping the numbers where they are, but we need to do better in order to live more freely,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“That's why we’re just asking everybody to please respect the rules in place.”

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said Sydneysiders need to “do better”. Picture: Joel Carrett / NCA NewsWire

She said the Delta strain is causing transmission in fleeting instances, unlike previous strains, which has sent case numbers spiralling upwards, resulting in a harder lockdown.

“I appeal to everybody‘s patience and calm. We will get through this as long as people take it seriously,” the premier said.

“We will get there. I'm absolutely convinced of that.”

The alarming number of people in the community while infectious has health authorities scrambling to flag new exposure sites.

Ms Berejiklian warned residents not to leave their homes unless absolutely necessary, even if they do not have symptoms.

“You might not have any symptoms and not know you have the virus and still be infectious,” she said.

“Those 43 people haven’t necessarily done the wrong thing. But what it does show is how infectious and contagious the virus is.

NSW recorded 110 new cases. Picture: Gaye Gerard / NCA Newswire

“Every time you have contact with another human being you risk either getting the virus or passing the virus on.”

Of the new cases, 54 are linked to a known case or cluster – including 40 household contacts and 14 close contacts.

But the source of 56 cases remains under investigation.

Fifty of the new cases are from the South Western Sydney LHD and 29 are from Western Sydney LHD.

The virus has also spread to Orange in central NSW after an infected delivery driver unknowingly spread the disease to a local.

The case has sparked a week-long lockdown in the regional town.