NSW latest Covid-19 update as at 22 February

NSW recorded no new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.

One new case was acquired overseas, bringing the total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic to 4,961.

There were 12,175 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with the previous day's total of 13,586.

While today marks 36 days with no reported locally acquired cases in NSW, there is still a risk of COVID-19 spreading into the community given that new cases are regularly detected among overseas arrivals. It is critical that everyone continues to come forward for testing if they have even the mildest of symptoms.

Three vaccination hubs became operational this morning at Liverpool, Royal Prince Alfred and Westmead hospitals. In the first three weeks, 35,100 frontline workers will receive their first vaccination, followed by a second vaccination three weeks later.

The initial three-week vaccination phase will see hotel quarantine workers given the Pfizer vaccine - including all workers within quarantine hotels, those screening arrivals at the airport, health staff, cleaners, NSW Police officers and security guards.

Healthcare workers with the greatest exposure to potential COVID-19 patients will also be included in the first round of vaccinations, which will be rolled out progressively.

The state's ongoing sewage surveillance program has detected traces of the virus that causes COVID-19 at the Glenfield treatment plant, which serves more than 161,000 people in south-western Sydney.

People who have recently recovered from COVID-19 can sometimes continue to shed virus fragments into the sewerage system for several weeks even after they are no longer infectious. While there are a number of recently recovered cases in this area, NSW Health is encouraging everyone to be vigilant for any symptoms of COVID-19 and to get tested immediately and isolate if they appear.

Please be alert for symptoms if you live or work in the suburbs of Airds, Ambarvale, Appin, Bardia, Blair Athol, Blairmount, Bow Bowing, Bradbury, Campbelltown, Casula, Claymore, Currans Hill, Eagle Vale, Englorie Park, Eschol Park, Gilead, Glen Alpine, Glenfield, Gregory Hills, Holsworthy, Ingleburn, Kearns, Kentlyn, Leumeah, Long Point, Macquarie Fields, Macquarie Links, Menangle Park, Minto, Raby, Rosemeadow, Ruse, St Andrews, St Helens Park, Varroville and Woodbine.

NSW Health is treating 19 COVID-19 cases, none of whom are in intensive care. Most cases (95 per cent) are being treated in non-acute, out-of-hospital care, including returned travellers in the Special Health Accommodation.

There are more than 350 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW, many of which are open seven days a week.  To find your nearest clinic visit COVID-19 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 20 February 2021 to 8pm 21 February 2021

**from 15 February 2021 to 8pm 21 February 2021

Returned travellers in hotel quarantine to date

* Testing previously carried out on day 10 is now carried out on day 12.

Today's video update with Dr Christine Selvey