NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) UPDATE

2 December 2021

(See Translation in Arabic Section

NSW recorded 271 new cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night. The total number of confirmed cases of Omicron COVID-19 variant of concern remains at six following yesterday’s update.

Seven cases have been excluded following further investigation, bringing the total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic to 81,991.

There are currently 144 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 24 people in intensive care, 10 of whom require ventilation.

There were 81,877 COVID-19 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with the previous day’s total of 85,403.

Confirmed cases (including interstate residents in NSW health care facilities)         81,991

Deaths (in NSW from confirmed cases)  630

Total tests carried out 21,958,761

Total vaccinations administered in NSW  12,899,720

As announced yesterday, NSW Health can confirm a sixth traveller has been infected with the Omicron COVID-19 variant of concern.

The fully vaccinated traveller, who recently visited southern Africa, arrived on flight QR908 from Doha to Sydney on 25 November and tested positive to COVID-19 on Tuesday 30 November. The person is  isolating in Sydney.

Everyone on the flight has already been deemed a close contact and has been instructed to get tested immediately for COVID-19 and isolate for 14 days, regardless of their vaccination status. They can also call NSW Health on 1800 943 553 for further advice.

In line with Commonwealth measures, all travellers arriving in NSW who have been in South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini and Malawi during the 14-day period before their arrival in NSW must enter hotel quarantine for 14 days, irrespective of their vaccination status.

All fully vaccinated travellers who have been in any other overseas country during the 14-day period before their arrival in NSW must travel directly to their place of residence or accommodation and isolate for 72 hours. They will only be able to exit isolation at the end of the 72-hour period if they have received a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken after arrival in NSW. These people must also complete a PCR test on day six after arrival.

Any passengers aged 18 years and over who are not fully vaccinated go directly into 14-day mandatory hotel quarantine.

Anyone who has already arrived in NSW who has been in any of the eight African countries within the previous 14 days must immediately get tested and isolate for 14 days, and call NSW Health on 1800 943 553.

Penalties for non-compliance with the isolation, testing and quarantine requirements have increased to $5,000 for individuals (from $1,000), and $10,000 for corporations (from $5,000).

The total number of vaccines administered in NSW is now 12,899,720 with 4,165,416 doses administered by NSW Health to 8pm last night and 8,734,304 administered by the GP network, pharmacies and other providers to 11.59pm on Tuesday 30 November 2021.

If you haven’t received a COVID-19 vaccination yet, please don’t delay. Even if you have had COVID-19 and recovered, you should get vaccinated.

NSW Health encourages everyone who is eligible to book into a NSW Health vaccination clinic or another provider without delay through the COVID-19 vaccine clinic finder.

If you are directed to get tested for COVID 19 or self-isolate at any time, you must follow the self-isolation rules.

If you have any COVID-19 symptoms, no matter how mild, get tested immediately and self-isolate until you receive a negative test result.

There are more than 450 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW, many of which are open seven days a week. To find your nearest clinic visit COVID-19 clinic.