NSW latest Covid update as at 12 December

NSW recorded 485 new cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night. There is a total of 55 cases of COVID-19 with the Omicron variant of concern in NSW.

There were 10 new cases confirmed with the Omicron variant overnight, and more are expected as results of genomic testing are confirmed. To date, one Omicron case has been admitted to hospital in NSW for treatment of COVID-19.

Eight COVID-19 cases have been excluded following further investigation, bringing the total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic to 85,735.

Sadly, NSW Health is today reporting two deaths.

A man in his 70s from Sydney’s inner west died at Concord Hospital. He was not vaccinated.

A man in his 80s from south-eastern Sydney died at Sutherland Hospital. He was not vaccinated.

NSW Health expresses its sincere condolences to their loved ones.

There are currently 156 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 23 people in intensive care, seven of whom require ventilation.

There were 90,804 COVID-19 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with the previous day’s total of 82,517.

The Newcastle community is being advised that The Argyle House nightclub was visited by confirmed cases of COVID-19 likely to have the Omicron variant of concern.

A public health investigation is underway into transmission of the virus, which took place after confirmed cases of COVID-19, linked to a previously reported outbreak on a party boat cruise on Sydney Harbour on 3 December, attended The Argyle House.

Anyone who attended the venue on the days and times listed must immediately get tested, isolate and await further advice from NSW Health.

This follows recent outbreaks associated with the Albion Hotel at Parramatta, Oxford Tavern at Petersham, Cult Nightclub in Potts Point and the party boat cruise on Sydney Harbour.

NSW Health is concerned about increased transmission taking place in larger social venues such as these, and we urge people not to attend social functions if they have any symptoms, even if mild.

NSW Health also strongly encourages people to wear a mask in situations where you cannot physically distance, especially indoors, and check in using QR codes

The Omicron variant continues to spread internationally and has been identified in international arrivals to NSW from southern Africa, as well as travellers from other countries.

These people have likely acquired their infections both in their countries of origin and on flights shared with infectious passengers.  

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.

Travellers from all other countries must isolate for 72 hours, avoid high-risk settings until after day seven and have a PCR test in the first 24 hours and on day six after arrival. They are also strongly encouraged to get tested 12 days after arrival.

All recent international arrivals must be vigilant for symptoms and isolate and get tested immediately should symptoms develop.  

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

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).

NSW Health’s ongoing sewage surveillance program has detected fragments of the virus that causes COVID-19 in sewage samples collected from Wellington, South West Rocks, Raymond Terrace and Boulder Bay, where there are no recent known cases.

Everyone who has been to these areas recently is urged to monitor for the onset of symptoms, and if they appear, to immediately be tested and isolate until a negative result is received.

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.

Across NSW, 94.8 per cent of people aged 16 and over have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 93.1 per cent are fully vaccinated.

Of the people aged 12 to 15, 81.4 per cent have received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 77.7 per cent are fully vaccinated.

The total number of vaccines administered in NSW is now 13,028,207, with 4,192,393 doses administered by NSW Health to 8pm last night and 8,835,814 administered by the GP network, pharmacies and other providers to 11.59pm on Friday 10 December 2021.    

Of the 485 cases reported to 8pm last night, 104 are from Western Sydney Local Health District (LHD), 90 are from South Eastern Sydney LHD, 81 are from South Western Sydney LHD, 58 are from Sydney LHD, 38 are from Northern Sydney LHD, 30 are from Northern NSW LHD, 21 are from Central Coast LHD, 13 are from Nepean Blue Mountains LHD, 12 are from Hunter New England LHD, 12 are from Western NSW LHD, 10 are from Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD, eight are from Murrumbidgee LHD, five are from Mid North Coast LHD and three are yet to be assigned to an LHD.

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 clinics or contact your GP.

COVID-19 vaccination update

* to 11.59pm 10 December 2021

*notified from 8pm 10 December 2021 to 8pm 11 December 2021

​Today’s video update