NSW records massive spike in Covid-19 cases as restrictions ease

The Omicron variant of Covid is continuing its spread across NSW. Here are the state’s most concerning hot spots.

The Omicron Covid-19 variant is spreading rapidly in the NSW Hunter Region while Delta infections climb in other areas.

The inner east, west and southwest of Sydney still have the highest overall number of Covid-19 infections, the most up to date NSW Health data show.

The Canterbury-Bankstown local government area was leading the tally with 662 active cases on Monday.

Newcastle had the highest number of active infections outside of Sydney with 154 cases, followed by the Central Coast with 126, Byron with 108 and Wollongong with 105 cases.

The Omicron variant is spreading rapidly in Newcastle and is likely to be moving across NSW, authorities warn. Picture: NSW Health

NSW reported 1360 new Covid-19 cases on Wednesday, with 424 infections identified in the Hunter New England Local Health District.

Health officials have said it is likely that the overwhelming majority of the cases in Newcastle will be the Omicron variant of concern, linked to outbreaks at a nightclub and a pub.

There have now been 110 Omicron cases identified in the state.

NSW chief health officer Kerry Chant said more than a third of the people who attended a superspreader event at Newcastle’s Argyle House nightclub last Wednesday had now tested positive to Covid-19.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the virus’ reproductive rate had passed 1.5 with cases doubling every few days.

He said the state’s hospital system was well prepared but public health teams were forecasting a possible 25,000 daily infections in January on some modelling.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet hasn’t flagged any changes to his reopening road map. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

“Vaccines are not stopping transmission. Omicron may well be spreading across NSW as we stand here talking about it,” he told reporters on Wednesday.

However, Mr Hazzard said the early evidence indicated the illness caused by Omicron was not as severe as with previous strains of the virus.

NSW also reported one death on Wednesday as restrictions eased further across the state.

Density limits have been scrapped and masks are no longer required in most places from Wednesday, with unvaccinated people now able to re-enter venues.

Cases have been increasing steadily over the past week and spiked from 804 infections recorded on Tuesday.

There were more than 100,000 Covid-19 tests conducted in the 24 hours to 8pm on Tuesday.

There are 168 people in hospital with the virus, 24 of whom are in intensive care.