NSW has recorded 134 new COVID-19 cases - the highest daily total since this outbreak started six weeks ago - but for the first time this week, none have been detected among Illawarra residents.
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Five Wollongong residents have tested positive since last week: four linked cases residing in the 2530 postcode, and a person who lives in Bulli but who is in isolation outside the region.
The lockdown is currently scheduled to end after next Friday, but the number of people with COVID-19 who have been in the community while infectious continues to rise, with 70 of the new cases in the community for at least part of their infectious period.
The situation in NSW has been declared a national emergency.
Keira MP and Labor health spokesperson, Ryan Park, has called on the federal government to reinstate JobKeeper assistance in NSW.
Given the scale of the current crisis, Mr Park said, the financial assistance was needed across the site but first and foremost the priority had to be in the affected areas.
He said any financial assistance, such as the JobSeeker coronavirus supplement, was needed but it was vital to keep businesses open and employing people.
"Otherwise we're not going to get through an extended period of lockdown," Mr Park said.
It is a stance backed by Labor, with Mr Park, leader Chris Minns and deputy Prue Car releasing a joint statement on the issue.
"We simply can't have businesses and workers hit the wall because they are doing the right thing and abiding by the NSW Health advice," the statement said.
They supported the health order and the extra restrictions for certain areas, but said "clear communication, testing centres, extra vaccinations and vaccination distribution centres must be made available to those same communities".
Meanwhile, Illawarra students preparing for their HSC have to deal with further changes to the exam timetable.
The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) COVID-19 Response Committee has announced additional changes to the 2021 HSC timetable to give students additional time to prepare for upcoming HSC exams.
The hand in date for all major projects has been extended by two weeks, while the hand-in date for Industrial Technology has been extended by four weeks.
NESA has also reschedule Drama performance exams to run from September 6 to 17.
Music performance exams continue as scheduled, running from August 30 to September 10.
But NESA has rescheduled the written exams to begin one week later on October 19 with HSC results out on December 17.
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Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
