Berejiklian issues stern warning to would-be protesters as NSW records 170 new community cases

"Do not give the ones you love the most a death sentence," said New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian.

With New South Wales today recording 170 locally acquired cases of COVID-19, the state's Premier Gladys Berejiklian has warned protesters planning to demonstrate against lockdowns in Sydney this weekend that they are putting lives at risk.

"Can I please warn against anybody taking up illegal activity and protesting tomorrow - you could be taking the disease home and passing it onto your parents, your siblings, your brothers and sisters," she said.

"Do not give the ones you love the most a death sentence.

"This Delta strain is contagious, it's deadly and it's affecting people of all ages."

The Premier's statements were backed up by NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller who said would-be protesters will be met by 1,000 police.

"We know this is such an important time for New South Wales in terms of winning the battle against the virus, and coming into town to protest is not the answer," Fuller said.

"If you think you can splinter from that and protest somewhere else in Greater Sydney, that force will be mobile and we'll be waiting for you."

Of today's 170 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19, 52 were in the community for part or all of their infectious period and 53 cases remain under investigation.

187 COVID-19 cases are currently in hospital, of which 58 are in intensive care and 24 are on ventilators.

The state's Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant today urged people to come forward and get tested as soon as any symptoms of the coronavirus present.

"Tragically, we've seen people present very late for care. When people present very late we haven't got the opportunity to provide them with the great care that our health services can provide and outcomes can be much poorer," Dr Chant said.

"Please get tested if you have COVID symptoms, and just to remind the community they are cough, fever, headache, loss of tastes and smells, sore throats, muscle aches and pains."

In order to mass vaccinate the cohort of Year 12 students in the eight local government areas (LGAs) of concern in Western Sydney (those being Fairfield, Canterbury Bankstown, Liverpool, Cumberland, Blacktown, Parramatta, Georges River and Campbelltown), who will return to face-to-face schooling on 16 August, a new immunisation hub will be opened soon.

As announced today by the Premier, from 9 August the Qudos Bank Arena will be transformed into a mass vaccination hub to give those Year 12 students the jab. Once it has performed that duty, it will become a regular hub for those in NSW to get inoculated.

Updated at 11.34am AEST on 30 July 2021.