Warrawong and Tarrawanna have been named among the suburbs of most concern in NSW as 58 new confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 were reported in the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District in the 24 hours to 8pm on Saturday night.
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Dr Jeremy McAnulty, of NSW Health, of NSW Health, said of the new cases 35 are from the Wollongong Local Government Area with none of those linked to known cases. There were 11 new positive cases in the Shellharbour Local Government area with one of those linked to a known case.
And there were 12 in the Shoalhaven with one of those linked to a known case. There were no new cases in Kiama.
"There are a number of suburbs of concern where we are seeing the highest numbers of cases in NSW. This includes Merrylands, Rooty Hill, Warrawong, Dee Why, Mount Druitt, Tarrawanna, Cranbrook, Campbelltown and Yaguna," Dr McAnulty said.
The 58 new cases brings the total number of COVID cases in the health district to 2063 since the start of the present outbreak in June.
And at 8pm on Saturday there were 45 COVID-19 patients being treated in hospital.
NSW Health has advised the community to remain vigilant for symptoms and get tested if any appear, no matter how mild.
Dr McAnulty said on the day before 'freedom day' 477 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 were reported in NSW which was the state's lowest daily figure since mid-August.
He said more than 90 per cent of residents aged 16 and over have now received their first dose of the vaccine and more than 72 per cent are now fully vaccinated ahead of a lift of restrictions across the state on Monday.
He said six men died of COVID-19 in Sydney and southern NSW in the 24 hours to 8pm on Saturday night bringing the total number of COVID related deaths to 431 since June 16.
Five of the men were not vaccinated and one had received one dose of the vaccine.
There are presently 794 people in hospital with COVID-19, including 159 in intensive care and 76 who require ventilation. Of the 159 people, 114 are not vaccinated.
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