Covid NSW: Stern warning as concerning 23-day trend ends
NSW records 935 new Covid cases
Four Covid deaths
Cowra plunged into lockdown
NSW has recorded less than 1000 new locally-acquired Covid-19 cases, the first time the daily figure has dropped under that mark for over three weeks.
On Monday, NSW announced 935 more cases and four deaths. However, Premier Gladys Berejiklian once again warned October will be the "worst month".
"Even if case numbers go down, we should expect unfortunately that the number of people in intensive care and the number of people who lose their lives to go up," she said.
There had been 23 consecutive days of daily numbers above 1000 before Monday's pleasing announcement.
In NSW, 82.2 per cent of people aged over 16-years-old have had their first Covid vaccine, while 52.7 per cent is fully vaccinated.
Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said there have been a decline of cases in certain areas, though she warned against complacency.
“Whilst we are seeing some pleasing declines in some of the suburbs and clearly the numbers today reflect that, it is too soon for complacency,” she said.
In NSW, there are 1207 people with Covid-19 are in hospital, 236 people are in intensive care and 123 people are on ventilator.
Ms Berejiklian said October is going to be a "challenging" month for the hospital system.
"I don't want any of us to sit back and think the worst is behind us because unfortunately, too many families are going to have loved ones end up in hospital or worse," she said.
NSW region plunged into lockdown
Dr Chant also announced another regional area in the state's central west would be plunged into lockdown tonight.
"I want to announce that Cowra is going into a lockdown effective from 5:00pm and anyone who was in Cowra from 13 September regardless of where they are, must adhere to the stay-at-home requirements," she said.
She said a nine-year-old boy had tested positive for Covid-19 and there were several exposure sites in the area. The source of infection is under investigation.
Dr Chant noted Cowra has a high vaccination rate, though she urged the Cowra community to come forward for testing.
There are 10 active cases in the Western NSW Local Health District (LHD).
Up to 8pm last night there have been 10 new cases identified in the Western NSW Local Health District. They are in the following Local Government Areas (LGA): 6 in Dubbo, 3 in Walgett and 1 in Cowra. pic.twitter.com/tmVEiRZIBL
— Western NSW LHD (@wnswlhd) September 20, 2021
NSW recorded 1083 new Covid-19 infections on Sunday, along with 13 deaths, while premier Gladys Berejiklian announced more freedoms for LGAs of concern.
The new freedoms align with other areas in lockdown and mean from Monday fully-vaccinated adults in the 12 LGAs will be able to exercise outdoors without time limits.
Fully-vaccinated adults are also able to gather in groups of five for outdoor recreation within 5km of their home.
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