New South Wales has reported a new record high of coronavirus cases on Saturday, with 1,533 new locally acquired infections, as the Greater Sydney lockdown enters its eleventh week.
There were also four additional deaths reported to 8pm on Friday night. The deaths include a man in his 50s from western Sydney, a man in his 60s from western Sydney, a man in his 70s from south-western Sydney, and a woman in her 80s from south-western Sydney.
None of the four people who died were vaccinated.
Nine of the new COVID-19 cases were recorded in the largely Indigenous town of Wilcannia in the state's west, bringing the total number of infections in far western NSW to at least 107.
More cases were also recorded in western NSW, with more Indigenous communities affected. Twenty-two cases were reported in Dubbo, nine in Bourke, and three each in Bathurst and Orange.
There are 1,041 coronavirus patients in the state's hospitals, with 173 in intensive care units and 62 on ventilators.
Of those in intensive care, 137 are unvaccinated, 29 have had just one dose, and seven are fully vaccinated.
There are about 11,000 active coronavirus cases across the state, with 90 per cent being cared for either at home or in New South Wales Health accommodation.
Vaccination rate increases
Almost 130,000 New South Wales residents got vaccinated yesterday.
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said vaccination remains a key tool to reduce transmission of the virus.
“The way forward, and it's a very positive way forward, is to get vaccinated,” he said. “Those who are still hesitating, there is no reason to hesitate."
"There are very good vaccines available here in New South Wales. There is an abundance of venues where you can get vaccinated, and it is absolutely crucial that for us to get back our freedoms as quickly as possible.”
At least 72 per cent of New South Wales residents aged 16 years and over have now received their first dose, and just under 40 per cent are fully vaccinated.
More than 250 Aboriginal people, including children aged 12 to 15, received their first vaccination on Saturday at a dedicated Indigenous clinic in Sydney's west.
"Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 due to the higher burden of other diseases," the health district's Braiden Abala said, noting several such clinics have been held across Sydney.
There were 131,174 COVID-19 tests carried out on Friday.
Plea to take care of mental health
Lifeline Australia chair John Brogden, who was formerly the NSW opposition leader, said the mental health hotline had been receiving a higher volume of calls, with the state’s residents reporting increased stress, depression and anxiety during the lockdown.
“I have depression, I have suicidal ideation, I know what it is like to live with mental illness, and I know what it is like to live with mental illness during COVID,” he said.
Lifeline is receiving more than 1,000 calls a day in New South Wales, compared to around 700 calls a day two years ago.
“No child, no adolescent, has ever lived to a time like this. In fact, most of us have never lived to a time like this. This is affecting everybody. This is affecting us all in very different ways. So please look after yourself, please be kind to yourself, and the other important message is: don't suffer in silence.”
Mr Brogden said he expected the next easing of restrictions on September 13, when fully vaccinated people will be able to congregate outdoors with five other people within 5 kilometres of their homes, to offer some relief.
“No doubt that every little bit helps, and whether it is just getting out with five people, which is different to the situation now, that will make a massive difference,” he said.
“We yearn for two things as human beings: certainty and human contact. At the moment certainty is very difficult to deliver and human contact is very restricted. So the more human contact we have, the more capacity to catch up with friends and family, that will make a massive difference.”
Additional reporting: AAP
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