NSW has recorded 400 cases of COVID overnight, 31 of them from the Illawarra Shoalhaven local health district.
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Of the locals who tested positive, 14 are from Wollongong (eight linked to known cases), with six in the postcode of 2530, four in 2518, and one each in 2500, 2502, 2525 and 2526.
In Shellharbour, six new cases were uncovered (three linked), with three each in the postcodes of 2527 and 2528, while the Shoalhaven reported 11 new cases (two linked), all from the 2541 postcode.
There were no new cases in Kiama.
There were 31 COVID-19 patients being treated in Wollongong Hospital and one in Shoalhaven Hospital as of 8pm Thursday.
The region has recorded 2215 local cases of the virus since the start of the current outbreak in June.
Meantime, NSW daily COVID cases continue to tumble as the state's vaccination percentage creeps toward 80 per cent.
Read more: IRT Tarrawanna COVID outbreak grows to 18
A total of 400 cases were recorded in the 24 hours to 8pm on Thursday, with 399 local infections added to the state's total.
Four people died in that period with the virus.
677 people are in hospital and 145 are in intensive care around the state.
The state also appears on track to have 80 per cent double dose in place by Monday, potentially delivering a raft of new freedoms just a week after the state's first "freedom day".
91.4 per cent of NSW residents 16 or over have had a first dose, with 77.8 per cent double vaccinated.
While statewide cases continue to fall, the Hunter New England health district continue to concern authorities.
In Thursday's update the region, which encompasses Newcastle and Tamworth, delivered more than a quarter of the state's cases, 103, to outstrip Sydney health districts for the first time.
NSW Deputy Premier Paul Toole on Friday confirmed those from Greater Sydney would not be allowed into regions until November, citing slower vaccination rollout beyond the state capital.
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