Illawarra residents are being urged to get vaccinated and come forward for testing after the region recorded 22 positive COVID-19 cases overnight, five more than the day before.
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Residents of the 2527 postcode were also warned to be extra vigilant for symptoms following an increase in case numbers.
The postcode takes in Albion Park, Albion Park Rail, Calderwood, Croom, North Macquarie, Tongarra, Tullimbar and Yellow Rock.
Five new cases in the area were announced on Thursday, seven on Wednesday and two on Tuesday.
"Given the number of cases reported in the 2527 postcode in recent days, residents of that area in particular are asked to be extra vigilant to COVID symptoms and to come forward for testing if they are experiencing even the mildest of symptoms," the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District said in a statement.
"There are a number of testing locations in the Shellharbour area, including the Albion Park Showground Testing Clinic, which is open from 8am to 6pm, seven days a week."
Of the 22 new local cases, nine are from Wollongong (three linked to known cases), with four in the 2530 postcode, two in 2518 and one each in 2500, 2502 and 2519.
Nine new cases were recorded in Shellharbour (all but one of those linked to a known case), with five cases in 2528, three in 2527 and one in 2529.
The Shoalhaven recorded three new cases in 2540, while Kiama recorded one new case.
There have now been 2326 local cases of COVID-19 in the region since the start of the current outbreak in June.
As at 8pm Wednesday, there were 26 COVID-19 patients being treated in local hospitals.
Meantime, NSW case numbers have jumped back over 300 after two days below that mark, with one death added to the state's COVID-19 toll.
Two new international arrivals joined 372 locally acquired COVID-19 infections, taking the state's 24-hour total to 374.
Across the state 124 people are in intensive care, with 523 people requiring treatment in hospital.
First doses of vaccine have hit 92.5 per cent in adults, while the double vaccination percentage has climbed to 82.3 per cent.
NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant has indicated she will be particularly interested in next week's case numbers as an indicator of how much the end of lockdown has influenced the spread of the virus in NSW.
