Glimmer of hope as NSW records 753 new cases and hits vaccine milestone

Case numbers have dropped in NSW with 753 new Covid-19 infections recorded, while the state has also hit a major vaccine milestone.

NSW recorded 753 new cases of Covid-19 and no deaths on Tuesday as the state hit a much-touted vaccination milestone of six million jabs.

“That equates to 60 per cent of our population across the state with at least one dose. And around 30 per cent of the population double dosed,” NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said.

“It is an amazing milestone. I’m deeply grateful.”

The breakthrough means vaccinated residents will be given at least one additional freedom from September, the government has promised.

An announcement on what that will be, and on the immediate future for schools, will come later in the week.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said to focus on vaccine rates. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

The 753 new cases is a drop on yesterday’s numbers, and comes as Greater Sydney endures its ninth week of lockdown.

But chief health officer Kerry Chant was quick to say “one day is not a trend” when asked if the state had potentially hit the peak of its outbreak.

“We are here for the long haul,” the state’s top doctor said.

Ms Berejiklian told people not to get caught up in the daily case numbers and look at the vaccination rates instead.

“I don’t want people to ride the rollercoaster of emotions on the case numbers every day. Let’s focus on the vaccine rates because that is what will determine how we can live moving forward,” the premier said.

Ms Berejiklian urged people aged between 16 and 39 in the 12 local government areas of concern to come forward for a vaccination, saying: “You will be guaranteed priority to get your jab in the next few days.”

Suburbs of concern remain Auburn, Maryland, Yagoona, Guildford, Punchbowl, Blacktown and surrounding areas.

“We ask people in those communities to be extra careful and assume every time you step out the door you have the virus or anyone you come into contact with has the virus,” the premier said.

“In terms of regions, many areas are settling and stabilising but western NSW remains a concern.”

There are concerns for the far west. Picture: NCA Newswire /Gaye Gerard

Of the new cases, 283 were from the Western Sydney Local Health District, 233 from South Western Sydney, 73 from Sydney, and 41 from Nepean Blue Mountains.

NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro issued an urgent plea to those in western NSW after revealing there were 36 cases in the area, which includes 14 in the far west.

“Today I want to call out in relation to vaccine in the regions, we want to keep vaccine rates high. Want to keep up with what is occurring in Sydney and ensure we have access points in areas in regional and rural NSW that are falling behind,” he said.

The coronavirus has also been detected at a sewage treatment plant in Cobar, with residents urged to monitor carefully for symptoms.

Of the new cases, 134 were linked to a known case or cluster – 108 were household contacts and 26 were close contacts.

But there were 619 cases still yet to be linked. The isolation status of 609 infections was also unknown.

There were 608 Covid-19 cases in NSW hospitals with 107 of those people in intensive care, 34 of which were on a ventilator.