Fifteen people within the Illawarra and Shoalhaven are among 304 new COVID-19 cases in NSW.
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Five of these new locally acquired cases are in the Wollongong local government area, two are in Shellharbour, two are in Kiama, and six in Shoalhaven.
Of these infections, 11 are linked to known cases, while investigations continue into the rest.
They bring the total number of cases detected in the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District since the start of the outbreak in mid June to 2391.
Of these, 218 were active as of Tuesday: 112 cases in Wollongong, 55 in Shellharbour, six in Kiama and 45 in Shoalhaven.
The postcodes with the most active cases include 2527, which encompasses Albion Park and Albion Park Rail, with 39 cases; 2518, which includes Corrimal and Bellambi, with 34; and 2502, which covers Warrawong and Cringila, with 20.
Aged care home IRT Tarrawanna said yesterday there were no new COVID cases detected among its residents or staff, for a second consecutive day.
To date 26 residents and six staff have contracted the virus, and four residents have died.
Seven are considered to have recovered.
Hospitals in the Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD are treating 25 COVID patients, who are among 418 people currently hospitalised with the illness in NSW.
There are 97 people in intensive care, with 43 on ventilators.
Deputy chief health officer Dr Marianne Gale said 77 of these intensive care patients were unvaccinated, 12 had received one dose, and eight were fully vaccinated.
Another three people with COVID have died: a man in his 30s, a person in their 70s, and a person in their 80s, all residents of Sydney.
Meanwhile, the Therapeutic Goods Administration has provisionally approved a Pfizer booster shot for people aged 18 and over.
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation is expected to provide advice to the government soon.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the government would finalise plans next week and the rollout would begin with those in aged care facilities, like the initial vaccine program.
The TGA has recommended that a third dose be given at least six months after a person's second shot.
Over 93 per cent of NSW residents aged 16 and over have now received at least their first dose of the vaccine, while 85.5 per cent have received two doses.
Among 12 to 15-year-olds, 78.3 per cent have had one shot, and 53 per cent have had two.
Federal vaccination data shows 85.3 per cent of Illawarra residents aged 15 and over are fully vaccinated against COVID, while 93.3 per cent of people have had at least one dose.
Wollongong is sitting at 83.5 per cent of residents double-dosed, while Shellharbour is at 88.9 per cent.
Kiama continues to lead the way, with 90.2 per cent of its residents aged 15 and older having received two jabs.
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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.
