NSW recorded 124 new virus cases, marking the highest daily infection rate during latest outbreak

Another 124 new Covid infections have been diagnosed in NSW, marking the highest daily total since the latest outbreak began.

NSW recorded 124 new virus cases overnight as the state continues to grapple with the latest outbreak.

The surge in cases marks the largest daily infection figures since the outbreak kicked off on June 16, when a Bondi limousine driver tested positive.

Gladys Berejiklian said 48 of the new cases were active in the community for their entire infectious period – also the largest figure since the beginning of the latest cluster.

“Given the number of infectious (people) in the community, I’m expecting case numbers to go up even higher,” she said.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian revealed the latest figures. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Joel Carrett

“It’s really, really important to continue those high rates of testing because, as Dr (Kerry) Chant said earlier this week and towards the end of last week, it’s really important for us to scoop up all the possible cases that are out there.

“There’s no doubt, again, that we anticipate case numbers will continue to go up before they start coming down and we need to brace ourselves for that.”

About 85,000 people came forward for testing in the latest reporting period.

The NSW Premier also noted health authorities were discovering cases while testing workers from the Fairfield area.

Anyone from that local government area who need to leave for essential work need to get tested every three days.

Testing numbers also reached a record high. Picture: NCA Newswire /Gaye Gerard

Ms Berejiklian said “spill over” from the Fairfield area is being experienced in the Canterbury-Bankstown and Cumberland LGAs.

People in those communities are being urged to come forward for testing.

NSW Health said of the new local cases reported to 8pm last night, 54 are from the South Western Sydney Local Health District (LHD), 40 are from the Western Sydney LHD, 18 are from the Sydney LHD, eight are from the South Eastern Sydney LHD, two are from Northern Sydney LHD, one is from Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD and one is from Nepean Blue Mountains LHD.

The new figures come after NSW recorded 110 new cases on Wednesday amid fears lockdown could last until September.