Another 39 Illawarra residents have contracted COVID-19, with 50 new locally acquired cases across the entire local health district.
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They were among 1022 additional cases of community transmission in NSW that were detected in the 24 hours to 8pm Monday.
They included 24 cases in the Wollongong local government area, 13 in Shellharbour and two in Kiama, as well as 11 in Shoalhaven.
Twenty of these infections - 10 in Wollongong, six in Shellharbour and four in Shoalhaven - are linked to known cases, while investigations continue into the remainder.
NSW Health data shows there are now 408 active COVID cases within the Illawarra, with 253 in Wollongong, 143 in Shellharbour, and 12 in Kiama. Shoalhaven has 41.
Sadly, 10 more people with COVID, aged from their 50s to their 90s, have died, bringing the number of COVID-related deaths during the Delta outbreak to 255.
There are now 1266 people being treated for COVID in hospital, including 244 in intensive care, and 118 of whom are in need of ventilation.
There are 26 residents of the Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD in hospital with COVID.
The Mercury requested the total number of COVID patients being treated at Wollongong Hospital - including those transferred from other districts - and how many people were in intensive care, but the Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD declined to provide these figures.
The state government has warned for some weeks that October is expected to bring the worst in terms of serious illness, hospitalisations and deaths.
New exposure sites have also been identified in the region.
NSW Health says anyone who attended the following locations during the specified times must get tested immediately and isolate until they receive a negative result.
They are Bunnings Kembla Grange on Friday, September 17 from 11.30am to 11.55am; Woolworths Unanderra on Wednesday, September 15 from 12.10pm to 12.45pm, and Great Southern Bank at Dapto Mall on Thursday, September 9 from 10am to 11am.
With the introduction of 'friends bubbles' for children and young people, Health Minister Brad Hazzard was asked at Tuesday's press conference about the potential for visitation in aged care facilities.
Mr Hazzard said the state was getting "very close... to being able to have a freer approach" in relation to that.
The health minister was also asked whether restrictions would be imposed upon residents of regional areas not under lockdown who were not fully vaccinated, once the state reached the 70 per cent milestone and more freedoms opened up.
Residents of these areas can currently visit hospitality, retail and services businesses, attend gyms and indoor recreation venues, and have visitors in their home (subject to limits), regardless of vaccination status.
"Those issues, I think it's fair to say, are still being sorted through... But certainly the measures that are taken to ensure that people who are double vaccinated are able to move around, is because we're trying to keep the rest of the community safe," Mr Hazzard 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.
