Lockdown could change based on suburbs after NSW records 145 new cases

NSW’s lockdown could soon look different depending on what area you live in after the state recorded 145 cases, with dozens still in the community.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has hinted at changing restrictions that could see lockdowns tighten in specific areas of Sydney, and potentially relaxed in others, after the state recorded 145 new locally acquired cases of Covid-19.

There were 51 cases active in the community while infectious, meaning health officials are looking at further minimising movement in high-risk suburbs while not ruling out more freedoms for suburbs with few transmissions.

“I don't want to rule that out,” the Premier said.

“Some settings might change.

“We might need to go harder in some areas and release some settings in others. Please know our government is always looking at the best options we have available.”

Ms Berejiklian hinted greater Sydney’s lockdown would be extended beyond this Friday but an announcement that is expected within the next couple of days would explain several tweaks to it.

“We hope to provide announcement or updates to the community in the next few days,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“Our mission is to keep the community as safe as possible but also make sure the community can live as freely as we can.”

Nurses at the Covid Testing clinic at Fairfield Showground. Picture: NCA Newswire /Gaye Gerard

Of the 145 locally acquired cases, 72 were from southwest Sydney, with that region still high risk.

There were 32 cases from western Sydney, 23 from inner Sydney, 10 from southeast Sydney, five from northern Sydney, one from the Central Coast, one from the Nepean Blue/Mountains area and one from the Illawarra/Shoalhaven area.

NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant said the rates of people spreading Covid-19 in the community were still far too high.

“Sadly we're still seeing a large number of cases infectious in the community and this highlights, as you’re moving about, you need to assume you’ll come into contact with someone who has Covid,” she said.

“Transmissions at the moment are being driven by two factors, one being ongoing contact between households.

“Can I just express it‘s really so important that people only stayed in the household unit.”

People line up at Sydney's mass vaccination hub in Sydney Olympic Park. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Adam Yip

Dr Chant said it was concerning NSW residents over 60 were not taking up “plentiful” supplies of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

“It is actually quite distressing, when I review the numbers, to see how few over even 60-year-olds and over 70-year-olds we have managed to reach and for me, anyone who is over 60 or over 70 should be going to their doctor as a matter of urgency, or their pharmacist which will be opening up across the State in coming days and get a dose of vaccine and please keep yourself safe,” she said.

There were 66 cases among Monday’s total linked to a known case or cluster – 57 were household contacts and nine were close contacts – however the source of infection for 79 cases is still under investigation.

There are currently 44 people in intensive care for Covid-19, 18 of whom need ventilation.

Ms Berejiklian said she was pleased to see there were 98,158 COVID-19 tests reported to 8pm last night.

NSW Health also administered 15,448 COVID-19 vaccines in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.