New South Wales has recorded 1485 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 and three deaths, as the state hits a new milestone in vaccinations.
The results come from than 115,495 tests.
READ MORE: Victoria records 183 new COVID-19 cases
https://twitter.com/NSWHealth/status/1434320674751873025?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said NSW has reached 40 per cent of the entire population vaccinated.
"This is an incredible milestone to have each given where we were a few months ago," she said.
"We have 70 per cent of the population with a first dose. When we hit 80 per cent first dose we will be confident we can get 80 per cent double dose. Not many places in the world have done that and I am confident we will."
The premier said she is confident life will feel "much better" in NSW soon.
"We should remember that while we are anticipating the peak of cases to occur in the next couple of weeks, we can foreshadow that once we hit the 70 per cent double dose that life will feel much better in NSW," she said.
"Those of us that are vaccinated fully will be able to participate in things we have missed out on for a long time."
Ms Berejiklian said while the next few weeks will be tough, she is constantly looking and conferring with health officials about what restrictions can possibly be eased, particularly for those LGAs of concern.
She will release modelling this week which will include what is foreshadowed for cases, hospitalisations and intensive care admissions.
"All the modelling indicates to us at the peak is likely to be here in the next week or two and the peak in hospitalisation and intensive care is likely to be with us in October," she said.
"You know the next few weeks will have high case numbers but what we don't want to see is when you make interventions at the wrong time and there is a surge in cases which sets us back.
"The modelling is only as good as our behaviour and getting vaccinated…what I have my eye on is the 70 per cent double dose vaccination which will ensure all those freedoms that those of us who are vaccinated will enjoy."
Three further deaths, young children in ICU
Three people have died in NSW over the past 24 hours.
- A woman in her 50s from western Sydney who died at Blacktown Hospital. She received one dose of COVID-19 vaccine and is not believed to have had any comorbidities.
- A woman in her 70s from south-western Sydney who died at Campbelltown Hospital. She was not vaccinated and had significant comorbidities.
- A man in his 70s from south-western Sydney who died at Liverpool Hospital. He was not vaccinated and also had comorbidities.
Three children are in intensive care.
Numbers come on 'Super Sunday' vaccine blitz for firefighters, police
Today's numbers come as health authorities desperately work to fully vaccinate all of NSW's emergency workers.
Of particular focus will be the state's firefighters and police.
"If you are an authorised worker, come forward and get vaccinated," the premier said.
"There is special accommodation being made for you and we are keen to see vaccination rates go up, especially in areas with a high viral load."
Asked on why emergency service responders are being targeted this late into an outbreak, Ms Berejilian said most have been done, but some may have missed out.
"The majority have been done but people come into the system all the time," she said.
"There are people coming in, learning, studying or still students in various professions so we are targeting emergency and healthcare workers but note for what the vast majority have been vaccinated.
"The police involved in the quarantine system were vaccinated, health and age care workers, but we do not want to leave any stone unturned.
"If you have not been vaccinated and you work for any of those front line agencies, please come forward and get vaccinated and I am told there are still vacancies today. You can get your jab by the end of the day."
READ MORE: Queensland records one new local COVID-19 case
Home quarantine on the cards for returning Aussies
The premier says she will worth with other state and territory leaders about how overseas arrivals are treated when they come to Australia once vaccination rates are reached.
Ms Berejiklian said some form of quarantine will be needed, but it may be adjusted based on need.
"When Australia is coming back home fully vaccinated with a credible vaccine, it would make sense that they could quarantine at home and we are already considering when we do that and when we do that but the transition will start in earnest when we hit 70 per cent double dose," she said.
"But the planning has already started, to see what life was like for Aussies coming home when they are fully vaccinated.
"We still need some form of quarantine, whether it is in the future for international students, skilled labour, but as far as Australia is a concern, if you are fully vaccinated with a credible vaccine, you should be allowed to warranting at and that is a transition we will be making."
