The number of new COVID-19 cases in the Illawarra Shoalhaven has risen again, with 35 detected in 24 hours.
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Thirty of these new cases are in the Wollongong local government area, up from 24 the previous day.
Shellharbour and Kiama have recorded one new case each, while Shoalhaven has three.
The new cases are among the 2482 new infections recorded in NSW in the 24 hours to 8pm Friday, the highest daily case number ever seen in any Australian state or territory.
These were detected out of more than 137,000 tests.
NSW Health says the Omicron variant likely accounts for the majority of the new cases.
To date 226 Omicron cases have been detected, but genomic sequencing will now only take place when it could make a difference to the treatment of a patient.
There are 206 COVID patients in NSW hospitals, including eight in the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District.
Intensive care units are treating 26 patients, with nine on ventilators.
NSW Health has also reported the death of one person.
The proportion of NSW residents aged 16 and over who have had at least one vaccine dose has crept up slightly, hitting 94.9 per cent.
The fully vaccinated rate stands at 93.3 per cent.
Of the people aged 12 to 15, 81.4 per cent have received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 78 per cent are fully vaccinated.
Meanwhile, NSW has removed the 72-hour isolation requirement for fully vaccinated international arrivals.
Instead, they will need to get a PCR test within 24 hours of arrival and isolate until they receive a negative result.
The requirement to produce a negative test within three days of boarding their flight remains.
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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.
