NSW records 372 new virus cases in first spike since new freedoms
NSW has recorded its first day of a rise in Covid cases since lockdown rules were scrapped and people were given new freedoms.
Another 372 cases of Covid-19 have been recorded in NSW.
There was also one death in the latest reporting period.
The figure is higher than previous days and the testing rate was also down with just 86,000 people turning out to get swabbed in the last 24 hours.
It is the first spike the state has experienced since new freedoms were granted on October 11, and the highest recorded daily case numbers in the past week.
Cases haven’t been over 300 since October 17.
NSW COVID-19 update â Thursday 21 October 2021
— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) October 20, 2021
In the 24-hour reporting period to 8pm last night:
- 92.5% of people aged 16+ have had one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine
- 82.3% of people aged 16+ have had two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine
- 86,235 tests pic.twitter.com/NZBcVB4Ome
Just 283 cases were recorded on Wednesday and 273 on Tuesday. Monday’s figure was also low at 265.
Meanwhile, the state continues to power ahead with its vaccine rollout. More than 92 per cent of eligible people have had their first dose and more than 80 per cent are fully vaccinated.
A total of 523 patients are in NSW hospitals with Covid-19 and 124 of those people are in intensive care.
The new figures come after NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet revealed the state plans to establish the nation’s first mRNA pilot manufacturing facility.
He said the government would partner with universities on research and development of new vaccines and drugs.
The $96m facility will be designed to create and trial new mRNA vaccines and therapies and conduct early manufacture.
“We are the first state in Australia to deliver a pilot manufacturing facility to spearhead the establishment of a local RNA industry,” the Premier said.
A location has not yet been decided, but it will include clinical spaces and laboratories.