NSW records 813 new local coronavirus cases and 10 deaths

Coronavirus cases continue to fall in NSW as the state prepares to open up when key vaccine milestones are finally reached.

Covid numbers continue to fall in NSW with the state recording 813 locally acquired cases and 10 deaths, as a key vaccination milestone draws near.

Saturday’s update from NSW Health showed a drop of 50 cases from 863 the day before, while the deaths recorded were also down from the record-equalling number of 15 on Friday.

NSW daily case numbers peaked at 1603 on September 11 and have been tracking lower ever since. There were 941 new cases on Thursday.

There have now been 418 Covid deaths in NSW and 63,825 cases since January 25, 2020.

Saturday’s deaths included six men and four women, one person in their 50s, and the rest aged between 60 and 100. Four people were not vaccinated, while five people had received one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine.

NSW’s Covid numbers are falling. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

One person was fully vaccinated - a man in his 60s from western Sydney - who acquired his infection at Mount Druitt Hospital. He had underlying health conditions.

There are currently 1005 Covid patients admitted to hospital in NSW, 202 who require intensive care, and 99 who are on ventilators.

As of Saturday morning, 87.7 per cent of NSW residents aged older than 16 had received their first dose, and 65.2 per cent were fully vaccinated. The total number of vaccines administered in NSW is now 10.2 million.

NSW recorded 813 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night. pic.twitter.com/DabSeyA3QP

— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) October 2, 2021

It is projected 70 per cent of eligible residents in the state will have had both of their coronavirus shots by October 6. The state’s lockdown is set to ease on October 11.

Saturday’s figures - presented by NSW Health’s Dr Jeremy McAnulty - come as the state government considers changes that would mean fully vaccinated people who visit certain exposure sites are no longer considered close contacts.

The changes would not apply for household contacts, in school or healthcare facilities, or in settings where people are in proximity for long periods.

Meanwhile, stay-at-home order for the community of Casino came into effect at midnight and will be in place until 11 October.

Originally published as NSW records 813 new local coronavirus cases and 10 deaths