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The number of active cases in NSW continues to climb with 262 new cases announced today – the highest number of daily infections since the outbreak began.

Five people have also died after testing positive to coronavirus in the state in the past 24 hours.

Four of those five had not been vaccinated, while a fifth person had just one dose of AstraZeneca.

LIVE UPDATES: Queensland's COVID-19 outbreak grows by 16 cases today

READ MORE: Schools remain closed as Hunter region enters lockdown

Three people in their 60s died, one in their 70s and one in their 80s.

At least 45 of today's cases were infectious while in the community, Premier Gladys Berejiklian said.

It comes after more than 107,000 tests were conducted.

The one vaccinated person who died of coronavirus in NSW overnight had their first AstraZeneca shot in May, but never got their second jab.

"If you have had your vaccine, first dose of AstraZeneca, within the last four weeks, now is the time to get your second dose," NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said.

"Do not delay for the three months."

Dr Chant called on everyone in NSW to act now to get a vaccine.

READ MORE: 'Stop being selfish': NSW residents told to 'get real' and get jabbed

Despite the rise in case number, Ms Berejiklian rejected calls for stricter restrictions saying the best way forward is to "focus on compliance".

"I want to stress this – that we have the harshest lockdown conditions that any state in Australia has seen.

"The difference is the Delta variant."

Newcastle and Hunter lockdown announced

Newcastle and the Hunter region will go into a one-week lockdown after an unexplained coronavirus case in the area

The lockdown will go into effect at 5pm today.

That includes the LGAs of Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Port Stephens, Cessnock, Dungog, Singleton and Muswellbrook.

"Similar to what occurred in Orange and hopefully, similar to what occurred in Orange, we'll see that community have their restrictions or stay at home lifted at that time," Ms Berejiklian said.

"I want to confirm the arrangements in the eight local government areas will be exactly the same as exists in Greater Sydney, including the Central Coast."

The announcement comes after several schools closed due to students testing positive.

READ MORE: Victoria records five new cases of COVID-19, schools close

People from Greater Sydney breaching lockdown may be responsible for an outbreak at a gathering at Blacksmith Beach in Newcastle on Friday night.

"We believe there may have been people there from Greater Sydney and that's how it was introduced," Dr Chant said.

Dr Chant said the known cases in Newcastle did not explain the high levels of coronavirus detected in sewage in the Hunter region.

"Our cases does not fully explain the detections and so we don't want anyone to be complacent that we have got the full picture at this stage," she said.

"Those testing levels need to be high."

The high volume of movement between the Upper Hunter and Newcastle motivated the wider lockdown restrictions for the entire region.

Premier flags possible return of Dine and Discover

The NSW government is considering bringing back Dine and Discover vouchers to support local businesses once lockdown lifts.

Ms Berejiklian also said the potential of allowing businesses to operate if people are vaccinated would be up to health advice.

"If their preference is two doses, it would be two doses," she said.

"My message is don't waste time now. Don't wait, get vaccinated."

NSW to receive addition Pfizer doses

NSW will receive an additional 180,000 doses of Pfizer from next week.

"It means that in the week of 16 August, we can redirect those doses we had taken from the regions for the HSC students and it also means we can put the balance into those eight local government areas in Greater Sydney of concern in particular," Ms Berejiklian said.

"I'm relieved about that.

Ms Berejiklian urged anyone to come forward to get any vaccine they can.

"Even one vaccine reduces hospitalisation and death by Pfizer and AstraZeneca by 70 percent," Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said.

"And two doses achieves about a 90 percent effectiveness against hospitalisation and death."

Ms Berejiklian urged people not to give up on getting the vaccine if they face delays in finding a booking.

"Make sure you're contacting your GP, especially in those eight local government areas, contacting your GP, your pharmacist, if there's a local pharmacist you trust, chances are they're providing the vaccine.

"If you get frustrated the first time around, there's multiple ways in which you can access that."

She also said the government was considering relaxing certain restrictions on August 29 for people who have been fully vaccinated.

"We're definitely trying to consider options that are more positive, to say classes or employees can go back if they've had the vaccination," Ms Berejiklian said.

"One thing is very clear, until we get to at least, you know, 80 percent of our vaccination rates, we'll have some level of restriction."

Calls to delay Year 12 return to school denied

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has knocked back the teachers' union's calls to delay Year 12 returning to in-person learning.

"I don't think anybody in this state would disagree that our priority should be having Year 12 complete their HSC in as safe and as timely a way as possible," she said.

"We're keen to make sure everybody sits the public exams that are required."

She said it was especially important to get Year 12 students in the eight high-risk LGAs vaccinated.

"When you're not an adult, when you're under 18, Pfizer is the only option," she said.

"I don't think anybody would he begrudge us for focusing on getting kids back to school, starting with Year 12."

Virus traces found in Dubbo and Armidale

Traces of coronavirus have been found in sewage in Armidale and Dubbo.

Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said the high levels of COVID-19 leads her to believe there are active cases in Armidale.

"So I call on people in Armidale to come out and get tested," Dr Chant said.

"It is no time for complacency."

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Legendary broadcaster Brian Henderson has died aged 89 following a battle with cancer.

Henderson hosted the Sydney weeknight news for Nine from 1957 until his retirement in 2002, becoming Australia's longest-serving news presenter.

He also hosted Bandstand from 1958 until 1972.

TRIBUTES: 'A giant of Australian television'

Nine's Peter Overton said he had received a text from Henderson's long-time wife Mardi to say he had died at about 4.50am.

"She said that he was at peace when he passed away and he was surrounded, he had Mardi and beautiful daughters Jodie and Nicole," Overton said.

"I've spoken to them this morning and they are naturally as a family just gathered and sitting and reflecting on this man who had, may I say, a wicked sense of humour and was so engaged in the news right up to his passing."

Today host Karl Stefanovic said Henderson was "an absolute legend".

"A gentleman and a total professional who provided guidance and inspiration for so many colleagues and generations who followed," he said.

"We loved him."

Peter Costello, Chairman of Nine, paid tribute to Henderson's warmth, professionalism and legacy.

"Brian Henderson was the best of the best, he was iconic. The ultimate professional and the trusted face of television news for generations of Australians," said Mr Costello.

"Hendo was not just a much loved newsman, he also brought modern pop music to generations of Australian teenagers through his hosting role on Bandstand.

"He was trusted, he had a warmth that he brought into the living rooms of millions of Australians. He will be deeply missed but his giant legacy and contribution will live on in the DNA of Nine."

Darren Wick, Nine's Director of News and Current Affairs, said Henderson set the standard for the news team.

"Hendo was much loved and idolised by everyone of us lucky enough to have worked with him and learn from him," said Mr Wick.

"He was the biggest star in a 9News team that boasted the biggest names in journalism – Laurie Oakes, Liz Hayes, Georgie Gardner, Ken Sutcliffe, Peter Harvey, Robert Penfold, Peter Overton, Leila McKinnon, Allison Langdon and Karl Stefanovic.

"He was the epitome of credibility, reliability and clarity. He set the standard that we aspire to live up to every night of the week."

Henderson had two daughters, Jody and Nicole, with long-time wife Mardi.

Henderson also had two children from his first marriage.

He won two Gold Logies in his life, the first in 1968 as the host of Bandstand.

In 2013 he received a second, when he became the 30th member of the TV Week Logies Hall of Fame.

He was also made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2009 for his contributions to TV news, entertainment, and journalism.

Henderson survived multiple battles with cancer, before opting not to receive treatment for kidney cancer last year.

Overton interviewed Henderson not long after that diagnosis, and said he had not been scared of death.

"I asked him how he felt about death and he said that when he is on the other side and one day when I come over, we could catch up for a drink," Overton wrote.

'The Frank Sinatra of newsreaders.'

That was the tribute paid by Ken Sutcliffe to legendary broadcaster Brian 'Hendo' Henderson, who has died at the age of 89.

Friends and former colleagues have described him as a broadcaster without peer, whose name became synonymous with trust and professionalism over his distinguished decades-long career.

Henderson hosted the Sydney weeknight news for Nine from 1957 until his retirement in 2002, making him Australia's longest-serving news presenter.

Former sports journalist and TV presenter Ken Sutcliffe, who worked alongside his mate 'Hendo' for more than twenty years, has described him as "the Frank Sinatra of newsreaders".

"Sinatra was known for wonderful, impeccable diction and breath control. That's the way I saw Hendo" Sutcliffe told Today Extra.

READ MORE: Legendary broadcaster Brian Henderson dies, aged 89

But despite his warm and gentlemanly manners, Sutcliffe found him very intimidating to work alongside.

"He was the ultimate professional," he recalls.

"I just wanted to be as good as I could possibly be, but never quite matched up to the things he was capable of doing and did night after night. He was a perfectionist."

Sutcliffe affectionately recalled how he would drive a lot of the news producers "crazy" through his meticulous checking of every comma and every fact.

"He was not a trained journalist – I think that made him try even harder."

His current successor, Peter Overton, has described his long-time friend as "a great of Australian television" who became "part of the fabric of television".

"He was such a trusted voice and trusted man in our loungerooms every night."

It was a role he cherished, but he also had another string to his bow, Overton noting that his "wicked sense of humour" came to the fore as host of Bandstand from 1958 until 1972.

Overton noted that even as he grew frail, Henderson kept pace with the news and would often give him feedback on his performance during their regular catch-ups.

"We'd go and have cups of tea with him every few months," Overton said.

"He was right on the news. He had his notepad and would give us thoughts on how we were going – it was wonderful."

The TV icon passed away peacefully just before 5am this morning, surrounded by wife of decades Mardi and his two daughters, Jodie and Nicole, a month before his 90th birthday.

An emotional Overton described the last time he spoke with his friend back in May.

"I still remember it. I was walking the dog at the park, it was 11am in the morning and he rang me. He was not of the strongest voice, but said 'Pete, I will leave us one day' and he said to me 'I'd love you to say something at my service'."

"So I'll sit in that chair tonight and I'll think of Brian… we'll all think of him."

'The best of the best'

Peter Costello, Chairman of Nine, paid tribute to Henderson's warmth, professionalism and legacy.

"Brian Henderson was the best of the best, he was iconic. The ultimate professional and the trusted face of television news for generations of Australians," said Mr Costello.

"Hendo was not just a much-loved newsman, he also brought modern pop music to generations of Australian teenagers through his hosting role on Bandstand.

"He was trusted, he had a warmth that he brought into the living rooms of millions of Australians. He will be deeply missed but his giant legacy and contribution will live on in the DNA of Nine."

Darren Wick, Nine's Director of News and Current Affairs, said Henderson set the standard for the news team.

"Hendo was much loved and idolised by every one of us lucky enough to have worked with him and learn from him," said Mr Wick.

"He was the biggest star in a 9News team that boasted the biggest names in journalism – Laurie Oakes, Liz Hayes, Georgie Gardner, Ken Sutcliffe, Peter Harvey, Robert Penfold, Peter Overton, Leila McKinnon, Allison Langdon and Karl Stefanovic."

He was the epitome of credibility, reliability and clarity. He set the standard that we aspire to live up every night of the week."

'The way it is'

Not only a great himself, Henderson played a seminal role in kicking off the career of many young aspiring journalists.

2GB Drive host Jim Wilson took to Twitter this morning to pay tribute to "a giant of the industry", who he affectionately described as his former "taskmaster" when he first started work at Nine News Sydney.

"Best thing that ever happened to me professionally. Thanks Hendo," he wrote.

While a giant on television, former colleagues and friends described a different man off-camera.

"Credible, reliable and reassuring on-air, away from the cameras Brian was humble and engaging with a great sense of humour," long-standing news presenter and former colleague Peter Hitchener said.

"Brian Henderson made a huge contribution to our industry."

https://twitter.com/phitchener9/status/1423076816743321602?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Singer and Today Extra co-host David Campbell's tribute was simple: "a legendary broadcaster and true gentleman".

Many described Henderson's iconic sign-off – "that's the way it is" – as etched into their memories, a symbol of his trusted voice in news.

Nine reporter Damian Ryan described him simply as "a man of perfection".

ABC News Radio presenter Laura Tchilinguirian wrote "legend of news broadcasting is gone".

"Growing up Brian told me so."

Entertainment reporter Peter Ford described him as "by every account a charming and classy bloke".

It's a legacy that will live on in the national memory and through his successors, but in the words of Peter Overton, "it's a mantle that will never be surpassed".

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Extinction Rebellion activists have locked themselves to the door of Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg's Melbourne office and super-glued themselves to the windows, saying they refuse to leave until their demands are met.

The protesters also scaled awnings at the Hawthorn East office and released a number of flares.

Footage uploaded to social media shows police arriving at the scene as the small group of protesters chant "Do your job, it's only fair we demand a duty of care."

Extinction Rebellion activists regularly stage protests around the world to draw attention to their claims of government inaction on climate change.

"Life on Earth is in crisis. Our climate is changing faster than scientists predicted and the stakes are high. Biodiversity loss. Crop failure. Social and ecological collapse," the organisation's website reads.

"Mass extinction. We are running out of time, and our Government has failed to act.

"We have a moral duty to rebel, whatever our politics."

In June this year year, police had to use a cherry picker crane to remove two women who chained themselves together on the roof of a truck in Perth's CBD.

The activists who caused traffic chaos for three hours as they protested while blocking the entrance to the Perth Conference Centre, which was hosting the APPEA 2021 oil and gas conference.

https://twitter.com/XRebellionAus/status/1423065442071896065?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Police have not yet released a statement about this morning's protest.