Two deaths, weddings are back on and 1,035 new cases: Everything you need to know about the coronavirus crisis in NSW
- NSW recorded staggering 1035 Covid cases overnight, the highest number ever
- Two women aged in their 70s and 80s died – with the older woman unvaccinated
- From September 3, weddings in NSW will be able to have at least five guests
NSW has recorded 1,035 new locally acquired cases of Covid-19 in the 24 hours, following the latest figures released on Saturday.
Two people aged in their 70s and 80s also died, and weddings are officially back on across the state from early September.
The younger woman, from the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District in Sydney’s west, had received both doses of the vaccine but had underlying health conditions, while the other was unvaccinated.
She died at Westmead Hospital.
NSW recorded 1,035 new locally acquired cases of Covid-19 on Saturday – despite high vaccination numbers (pictured, a woman wearing a face mask in Sydney)
From September 3, wedding numbers at venues across NSW are set to increase (stock image)
There have been 83 Covid-19 related deaths in NSW since 16 June last year. There have been 139 in total since the start of the pandemic.
The worrying surge in cases in NSW came after 156,165 people came forward to get vaccinated on Friday – the highest ever daily vaccination rate number.
There are now 778 patients with Covid being treated in hospital, 125 of those are in intensive care and 52 require ventilation.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard did provide some welcome good news – given the significant numbers of people getting the jab, Covid restrictions on weddings in NSW are set to be eased from 12:01am on Friday, September 3.
‘We have to be able to allow people who want to get married to get married,’ he told reporters on Saturday.
‘I want people to know that if you do wish to get married, you certainly can as of Friday of this week.’
He added five guests would be permitted to attend weddings, with other logistics still under review.
Hazzard also said the couple, ‘those officiating and perhaps a photographer’ wouldn’t count as the five allocated guests.