NSW records 239 virus cases as residents wake to first day of extended lockdown

NSW has recorded a shocking number of Covid cases in the state’s worst day since the pandemic began.

A shocking 239 new cases of Covid have been diagnosed in NSW, including at least 66 who were in the community for their entire infectious period.

The alarming spike in case numbers marks the state’s darkest day since the pandemic began.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said more than 110,000 people had been swabbed in the latest reporting period before revealing where the majority of transmissions had occurred.

“We can only assume that things are likely to get worse before they get better given the number of people infectious in the community,” she said.

“Can we stress again, as we have in the last few weeks, that most of these transmissions are occurring among households and in workplaces but also in health settings.

“If you're going to a pharmacist or a GP, make sure you don’t have symptoms, make sure that you’re asking for medical help from home if you need help while you have symptoms.”

Another 239 new cases have been revealed. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nicholas Eagar

Of the new cases, 113 are linked to a known case or cluster, with 88 of those being household contacts and 25 close contacts.

But 126 cases remain under investigation.

The new figures come as residents in Sydney, the Central Coast, Blue Mountains and Shellharbour wake to their first day of an extended lockdown.

Sixty-six cases were infectious in the community, and the isolation status of 70 cases is unclear.

Two more deaths have also been recorded. A woman in her 90s from southwest Sydney died on Wednesday morning at Liverpool Hospital, while a man in his 80s from southwest Sydney died on Thursday afternoon at Royal North Shore Hospital.

Hundreds of thousands of Sydney residents will have strict new restrictions imposed on them as health authorities race to prevent the Delta strain from getting any further out of hand.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced new restrictions. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

As a result of the staggering rise in cases, residents in Fairfield, Liverpool, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Blacktown, Parramatta, Georges River and Campbelltown must now wear a mask any time they step outside their home and stay within a 5km radius.

Ms Berejiklian said that applied for shopping, exercise, and anyone who had formed a singles bubble.

“If you step foot outside your household, you need to wear a mask at all times,” she said.

“It doesn’t matter where it is. We’re seeing too much evidence of people who are not wearing masks when they need to, or if they are outdoors, coming into contact with other people and not having a mask.”

The last time NSW recorded more than 200 cases in a single day was April last year.