Covid-19 Australia: NSW has recorded 623 cases and six deaths

NSW has recorded 623 new Covid-19 cases and six deaths overnight.

Deputy chief health officer Dr Jeremy McAnulty delivered the new figures as the state government is plunged into chaos with Gladys Berejiklian stepping down from her role as NSW premier and John Barilaro quitting as deputy premier. 

The state has begun its final seven days in lockdown before homes and hospitality businesses can once again welcome visitors as NSW nears its 70 per cent double dose vaccination target.

Across the state, 88.4 per cent of people aged 16 and over had received a first vaccine, and 67.1 per cent were fully vaccinated by midnight on Saturday.

The NSW government on Sunday outlined new public health advice to come into effect on October 11 to manage the spread of COVID-19 as restrictions ease.

Under the advice, which may change as case numbers do, vaccinated and unvaccinated people will have different isolation times if they are a close contact of a COVID-19 case.

Across the state, 88.4 per cent of people aged 16 and over had received a first vaccine, and 67.1 per cent were fully vaccinated by midnight on Saturday

Vaccinated close contacts of a positive case must get tested and isolate for seven days.

On the sixth day they must get tested again and if the result is negative, they can end isolation after day seven.

They must work from home for an additional week where possible and not attend hospitality or high-risk settings, even if it is their place of work.

Unvaccinated close contacts must get tested and isolate for 14 days, get tested again at 12 days and if a negative result is received isolation can end after the fortnight.

Everyone, vaccinated or unvaccinated, with COVID-19 symptoms has been urged to get tested and self-isolate and anyone who tests positive must still isolate for 14 days.

Businesses will be responsible for taking ‘reasonable measures to stop unvaccinated people entering premises’ such as having prominent signs, QR code requirements and only accepting valid proof of vaccination.

Hospitality, retail, gyms, hairdressers and beauty salons will be monitored by authorised officers and on-the-spot fines of $1000 will apply to individuals who do not comply or use fraudulent vaccination records.

Businesses may be fined $5000 for breaching the rules.

NSW on Sunday reported 667 new locally acquired cases and 10 deaths, the first time daily case numbers have been below 700 since August 19.

Of the 10 deaths in the 24 hours to 8pm on Saturday, four people were not vaccinated, four had received one dose and two were fully vaccinated.

Everyone, vaccinated or unvaccinated, with COVID-19 symptoms has been urged to get tested and self-isolate and anyone who tests positive must still isolate for 14 days

NSW on Sunday reported 667 new locally acquired cases and 10 deaths, the first time daily case numbers have been below 700 since August 19

The deaths take the toll for the current outbreak to 372.

There are 981 COVID-19 patients in hospital in NSW, with 195 in intensive care units and 93 on ventilators.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said a child aged between zero and nine was in ICU, as were three people aged between 10 and 19.

Mr Hazzard said the resignation of Gladys Berejiklian did not change the roadmap out of lockdown for NSW.

‘She has been absolutely critical to the team,’ he said.

‘But that doesn’t mean the health team and the rest of the government won’t continue to do what we need to do.’

NSW Health has detected virus fragments in sewage at Kingscliff and Banora Point in far northern NSW.

Casino is in lockdown, with stay-at-home orders applicable to anyone who has visited the northern NSW town since September 24.

More to come