BY IAN CROUCH
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard has updated the community on the latest COVID-19 cases.
He says 50% of the NSW population over the age of 16 have now had their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, while 22% have also had their 2nd dose.
There were 108449 tests to 8pm Friday
There were 319 news cases until 8pm Friday
2 international travelers
125 linked to previous cases
194 cases still under investigation
There are 2 cases in the Armidale area of NSW - Armidale LGA will be going into 1 week lockdown from 5pm today. Hunter New England Health says a female in her 20's visited Newcastle and had contact with a confirmed case here - she in turn passed it on to a man in his 50's at her Armidale home.
Acting Chief Health Officer Dr Jeremy McAnulty says five people in their 60's 80's and 90's have died in Sydney hospitals overnight.
He says there are 4 new cases in Newcastle in young people. This takes to the total number of cases in the Hunter New England Health District to 13.
Dr McAnulty says 2 people with the virus presented to the John Hunter Hospital emergency department on Thursday. He says anyone at the ED from 8.40pm on Thursday 5 August to 1.50 am on Friday 6 August are now regarded as close contacts and should get tested and isolate for 14 days.
Brad Hazzard has again called on the community in lockdown areas to stay at home and only leave to get groceries once a day and then go straight home. He again called on the community not to visit friends and relatives unless it's for medical reasons. He also stressed the importance of getting vaccinated as soon as possible.
Mr Hazzard has also acknowledged the long testing queues in Newcastle and efforts are being stepped up to provide more testing centres.
