NSW latest Covid-19 update as at 13 July

NSW recorded 89 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.

Of these locally acquired cases, 75 are linked to a known case or cluster - 59 are household contacts and 16 are close contacts - and the source of infection for 14 cases remains under investigation.

Fifty-five cases were in isolation throughout their infectious period and nine cases were in isolation for part of their infectious period. Twenty-one cases were infectious in the community, and the isolation status of four cases remain under investigation.

Four new overseas-acquired cases were recorded in the same period. The total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic is 6,263.

There have been 767 locally acquired cases reported since 16 June 2021, when the first case in the Bondi cluster was reported.

Sadly, NSW Health today reports the death of a man in his 70s, who was a confirmed COVID-19 case. He was a resident of the eastern suburbs. NSW Health extends its sincere sympathies to his family.

There are currently 65 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 21 people in intensive care, four of whom require ventilation.

There were 49,055 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with the previous day's total of 46,478.

NSW Health administered 20,749 COVID-19 vaccines in the 24 hours to 8pm last night, including 7,482 at the vaccination centre at Sydney Olympic Park.

The total number of vaccines administered in NSW is now 2,728,897, with 1,073,809 doses administered by NSW Health to 8pm last night and 1,655,088 administered by the GP network and other providers to 11.59pm on Sunday 11 July.

Of the 89 locally acquired cases reported to 8pm last night, 64 are from South Western Sydney Local Health District (LHD), 15 are from South Eastern Sydney LHD, five are from Sydney LHD, three are from Western Sydney LHD, one is from Northern Sydney LHD and one is from Nepean Blue Mountains LHD.

We cannot have visitors to our homes, and everyone is reminded that your household only includes those who live with you, not any other family members.

People in Greater Sydney must stay at home unless it is absolutely necessary to leave. You should only be shopping for essential items and only leaving the house for as short a period of time as possible. We encourage people to shop online or use click and collect options. If you do leave home for an essential reason, remember to check in anywhere you attend.

Transmission in workplaces remains a concern. Everyone should work from home if possible. For essential workplaces:

• Limit the interaction and mixing of employees, prevent meetings and gatherings, and reduce the size of the groups
• It is mandatory to wear masks - including indoors and outdoors on construction sites.
• Remind everyone in the workplace that they must not attend if they have even mild cold like symptoms. They need to get a test immediately and isolate until they get a negative result. They also need to check the NSW Government website every day for updated venues in case they are a contact.

We are asking people not to seek exceptions to the rules, but to ensure they comply with them, so we reduce the number of infectious cases of COVID-19 in the community.

One further case has been recorded to 8pm last night linked to an apartment block in the Eastern Suburbs. Nine cases of COVID have been identified in recent days across five different households.

These cases reinforce the need for everyone to wear a face mask in a shared foyer or lobby, lifts, stairwells and corridors, and shared laundry facilities of apartment complexes. This advice applies to everyone, including residents, visitors, building managers, concierge staff, contractors, delivery drivers and cleaners.

NSW Health has worked with the residents and strata management to assess the situation and, in collaboration with other agencies, is implementing measures to address infection control and the health and welfare of residents.

NSW Health's ongoing sewage surveillance program has detected fragments of the virus that causes COVID-19 in a number of sewerage systems in Sydney. Of particular concern is a detection at Ropes Creek, which has no known cases.

Ropes Creek sewage treatment plant serves about 77,000 people in suburbs including Minchinbury, Dharruk, Hassall Grove, Blackett, Bidwill, Plumpton, Oakhurst, Hebersham, Emerton, Ropes Crossing, North St Marys, St Clair, Oxley Park, Colyton, Mount Druitt, Rooty Hill, Lethbridge Park, Tregear, Whalan, Erskine Park, Shalvey, Willmot, Shanes Park, Marsden Park, St Marys and Eastern Creek.

People in these areas are asked to be especially vigilant for the onset of any cold-like symptoms, and if they appear, to be tested immediately and isolate until a negative result is received.

If you are directed to get tested for COVID‑19 or self-isolate at any time, you must follow the rules whether or not the venue or exposure setting is listed on the NSW Health website.

Please check the NSW Government website regularly and follow the relevant health advice if you have attended a venue of concern or travelled on a public transport route at the same time as a confirmed case of COVID-19. This list is being updated regularly as case investigations proceed.

NSW Health thanks the community for coming forward for testing. High testing numbers are vital in detecting cases of COVID-19 in order to prevent further transmission, and to keep our friends and families safe. We continue to urge anyone with even the mildest of symptoms to be tested immediately and isolate until a negative result is received. If symptoms appear again, be tested and isolate again.

There are more than 380 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW, many of which are open seven days a week. To find your nearest clinic visit: COVID-19 testing clinics or contact your GP.

Likely source of confirmed COVID-19 cases in NSW

Note: Case counts reported for a particular day may vary over time due to ongoing investigations and case review.

*notified from 8pm 11 July 2021 to 8pm 12 July 2021 

**from 8pm 6 July 2021 to 8pm 12 July 2021

COVID-19 vaccination update

*notified from 8pm 11 July 2021 to 8pm 12 July 2021 

Video of today's press conference will be added to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) - press conferences and video updates.