Another eight Illawarra residents have tested positive for COVID-19 as NSW recorded its highest daily case number to date.
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The state saw 919 new cases of community transmission in the 24 hours to 8pm Tuesday, including six Wollongong residents and two Shellharbour residents.
Two people who had COVID have died, a woman in her 30s and a man in his 80s.
Two Wollongong businesses have emerged as exposure sites: Toro Robata Sushi in Corrimal Street, and Levendi at Belmore Basin.
Anyone who was at Levendi between 2pm to 5pm on Saturday, August 21 or Toro Robata Sushi between 6.45pm and 7.05pm that same day, must get tested and self-isolate until they receive a negative result.
On social media, popular takeaway outlet Levendi said the person with COVID had entered to buy a drink, but did not know at what time - hence the three-hour window advised by NSW Health.
"We ask kindly that ALL customers check in before entering our kiosk," the business said.
They said the kiosk had undergone a deep clean and all staff working at the weekend had returned negative test results for COVID.
Meanwhile, anyone who travelled on the South Coast train between Albion Park and Wolli Creek on Wednesday, August 11 from 2.15pm to 3.48pm; Thursday, August 12 from 2.16pm to 3.49pm; or Friday, August 13 from 2.16pm to 3.49pm must also get tested and isolate until a negative result is returned.
The same rule applies to anyone who travelled from Wolli Creek to Albion Park between 4.52am and 6.43am on Thursday, August 12.
There are 645 people with COVID in hospital, 113 of whom are in intensive care and 40 on ventilators.
At Wednesday's press conference, lung specialist Dr Lucy Morgan shared her experience of treating COVID patients.
Dr Morgan said the first symptoms of COVID were the typical cold and flu-like symptoms - headache, sore throat, perhaps a cough, muscle aches or fever - and were often very mild.
"But some people become breathless and dizzy, and these are the sorts of symptoms that need urgent medical assistance," she said.
"If you have COVID-19 and you feel breathless, you have trouble breathing, or you're feeling dizzy, you need to call an ambulance."
The symptoms among patients Dr Morgan has been caring for include a severe, migraine-like headache, a "terrible" cough that leaves them breathless, diarrhoea, nausea, and extreme fatigue.
The severe cases end up requiring a machine to help them breathe.
Dr Morgan said vaccination reduced infectivity and the risk of serious illness.
"The big message for me today, is get vaccinated," she said.
Almost one-third of the state's eligible residents are fully vaccinated against COVID, with 6.1 million doses administered.
However, the community is advised that a shot does not afford protection for two to three weeks, and people must still adhere to other preventative measures, such as mask-wearing.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro named Kiama as an area with a high take-up of the vaccine: 40 per cent of people have had two doses, while 68 per cent have had at least one dose.
Kiama MP Gareth Ward himself received his shot at the Wollongong mass vaccination centre on Wednesday.
"Not only am I choosing to get this vaccine, I'm promoting it because I think it is the only way that we'll get through this current situation, to fight and to beat COVID-19," Mr Ward said.
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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.
