Another record set in NSW with 1218 COVID-19 cases and six deaths

NSW reported 1,218 COVID-19 cases and six deaths in the 24 hours until 8pm on Saturday. 

It is the second consecutive day of cases above 1,000. 

The deaths involved three people in their 80s and three people in their 70s - none were fully vaccinated. 

"So again we extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of those six individuals," NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said. 

Ms Berejiklian said she was pleased with the progress of vaccinations as the state reached the half-way mark towards 70 per cent double dose vaccine coverage in the state's adult population. 

At least 834,000 people received their first vaccine jab in the week up to Saturday. 

"It has broken all our records. And I can't thank everybody enough for coming forward to get vaccinated."

As of Friday, 65.39 per cent of eligible NSW residents have had at least one vaccine dose and 35.43 per cent are fully vaccinated.

Outbreak recorded in Sydney's Parklea prison

A new outbreak has emerged in Sydney's Parklea prison with 31 people testing positive for the COVID-19.

The maximum-security prison was placed in lockdown on Saturday afternoon. Health authorities believe the virus was initially introduced by a member of the community. 

NSW Health's Dr Jeremy McAnulty said early inquiries suggest that the virus was introduced to the prison by a visitor from the community. 

"The investigation is ongoing to both understand how transmissions occurred in the community, in the prison, but also to make sure that the isolation, testing, and vaccinations are in place to minimise further spread."

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St Vincent's Hospital - as the health authority for the prison - is providing support to the facility to ensure inmates and staff are protected from further risk of transmission, Dr McAnulty said. 

Cases have also been uncovered at Silverwater prison.

Australian Lawyers Alliance spokesman Greg Barns SC said the number of prisoners needs to be urgently reduced amid the outbreak, and inmate vaccination should be prioritised.

"COVID-19 in prisons could still spread rapidly and will be hard to stop once it takes hold," Mr Barns said in a statement.

Police are also seeking public help after a COVID-19 testing clinic in North St Marys was defaced and burned down overnight.

Some 327 public health infringements have been issued this week.

Growing pressure on the hospital system

There are currently 813 COVID-19 cases in hospital, including 126 in intensive care, and 54 are being ventilated.

Dr McAnulty said of those in intensive care, 12 had received one dose of vaccine and 113 were unvaccinated.

Two ICU patients had been fully vaccinated.

He continued to urge people to get vaccinated to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the community.

"The vaccine is great. We know it is around 90 per cent - if you are fully vaccinated - of protecting from severe disease, hospitalisation and death.

"But it is not perfect. It is not 100 per cent (protection), so unfortunately we do get breakthrough infection sometimes, even in people who have had two doses."

Those who are vaccinated with even one dose of either Pfizer of AstraZeneca have been shown to be 50 per cent less infectious, reducing transmission of the virus in the community.  

The premier said that given the numbers, it is likely that October will have the highest number of people in intensive care.

“I do not think we have reached the peak but how hard we work now will keep people out of hospital and that is important.”

Dr McAnulty said fragments of the virus had been detected in sewage in regional areas, including Byron Bay and Tamworth in the state’s north; Trangi which is located west of Dubbo, and Cooma in the southern Tablelands.

The highest number of cases continue to be recorded in the local government areas of concerns in western and southwestern Sydney.

More easing of restrictions flagged

Ms Berejiklian said the state could reach 70 per cent single-dose vaccination coverage within days.

Once the state reaches 70 per cent double-dose coverage - roughly in mid-October - a number of what the government is calling "freedoms" will be restored to the fully vaccinated.

More restrictions would be eased at 80 per cent double-dose coverage.

Ms Berejiklian told reporters on Sunday that the state government remained committed to the national cabinet agreement to begin easing restrictions once the 70 and 80 per cent targets are reached.

She said restrictions would be eased regardless of COVID-19 case numbers at the time, with vaccinations preventing hospitalisation and death.

The government, having issued its six million jab target, earlier this week provided a small "treat" to fully vaccinated NSW residents, enabling them to have small picnics outdoors.

"We will stick to our word," Ms Berejiklian said.

"No matter what the case numbers are doing - of course we want to see them come down - double-dose 70 per cent in NSW means freedom for those who are (fully) vaccinated.

"It doesn't matter where you live or what your circumstances are."

Ms Berejiklian also reiterated QR code check-ins, social distancing and contact tracing would remain in use for the long haul.

"We will be doing things differently when we get to 70 per cent - the way we deal with quarantine will be different, the way we deal with (movement) will be different, but it'll be much freer," she said.

"There will be opportunities for those who are fully vaccinated to live more freely at 70 per cent double dose ... (and) there are some things we cannot extend to people who are not vaccinated."

Additional reporting: AAP

SBS is providing live translations of daily New South Wales and Victoria COVID-19 press conferences in various languages. Click here for more information.

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