The Wollongong local government area has recorded its 14th COVID-19 case since the current outbreak of the virus started in mid-June.
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The new case was among 172 locally acquired infections recorded in NSW in the 24 hours to 8pm Monday, up from 145 the previous day and a high in the past six weeks.
The person is a close contact of a Wollongong case that was reported on Monday, and they are isolating at home.
There are no local residents hospitalised with COVID-19.
Meanwhile, NSW Health has added another Illawarra business to its list of venues of concern.
Anyone who attended the Bunnings store in Bellambi on Tuesday, July 20, between 11am and 11.15am is a casual contact. They must get tested for COVID-19 immediately and isolate until they receive a negative result.
Of the 172 new cases announced yesterday, 60 were infectious in the community and another 19 were only in isolation for part of their infectious period.
Eighty-seven cases are linked to known cases and clusters, while the source of infection for the remaining 85 remains under investigation.
Another two people have died from COVID-19, both women in their 80s.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said these women - neither of whom were vaccinated - were infected through household contacts.
"My message is to everybody, please come forward and get the vaccine," Ms Berejiklian said.
"Not only are you protecting yourself, but you're protecting those closest to you."
She announced that anyone aged 18 and older would be able to book in to receive the AstraZeneca shot at the state's vaccination hubs from Friday, or at participating pharmacies from today.
"We know the vaccine protects against serious illness, but also reduces how contagious you are and that is really critical moving forward," Ms Berejiklian said.
Deputy chief health officer Dr Jeremy McAnulty said 171 people were in hospital with COVID-19, of whom 46 were in intensive care and 19 were on ventilators.
Meanwhile, the NSW health minister said more deaths were expected given the case numbers.
"You have to assume the more people who get the virus the more deaths we will have," Health Minister Brad Hazzard said yesterday.
When asked about the numbers of new cases remaining stubbornly high even in the fifth week of lockdown, Ms Berejiklian said that without the lockdown, there would have been thousands of new cases each day.
But she said the numbers were not where she would like them to be.
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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.
