Canterbury Bankstown now at greatest risk as New South Wales records 145 new cases

The Premier of New South Wales Gladys Berejiklian has today encouraged residents of the Canterbury Bankstown local government area (LGA) to be extra vigilant in the coming days due to a heightened risk of contracting COVID-19 as the state records 145 new cases of community transmission.

As such, Berejiklian has urged those living in Canterbury Bankstown to be "extra careful" and abide by the strict lockdown rules because that particular LGA is at risk of seeing COVID-19 cases spike.

The Premier also said the LGA of Fairfield, previously the state's largest hotspot, has seen a reduction in the number of new people infected with COVID-19 as residents have abided by the rules.

"I really want to thank the people of Fairfield local government area - in the last few days we've seen a reduction in the cases that local council area has," Berejiklian said.

"We also know that they're the least mobile in all of New South Wales - they've actually been doing the right thing.

"Now we know there's greater risk in the Canterbury Bankstown area. So we ask residents in the Canterbury Bankstown area, in Liverpool, in the Cumberland local government area to be extra, extra careful and please abide by the rules."

Of the 145 new cases of community transmission in NSW, of which 76 were active in the community for all or part of their infectious period, meaning only around half were isolating for the entire time they were infectious.

"Can I stress again that it's really important for people not to leave home unless they absolutely have to," NSW Premier Berejiklian said.

In addition to abiding by lockdown rules, both Berejiklian and NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant stressed the importance of getting vaccinated.

It comes after the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) changed its advice regarding the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine over the weekend, now recommending all adults aged over 18 go out and get that jab.

"I welcome the revised health advice, which now says that all adults can get the vaccine, so please come forward and get vaccinated," Berejiklian said.

"Especially in those Southwestern Sydney suburbs and Western Sydney areas. We now have additional clinics, we've got pharmacists that are online, your GPs - its really important for people to get vaccinated.

"Not only does the vaccine assist in keeping you out of hospital, but it also helps protect your loved ones because we know that the vaccine helps in reducing how contagious people are."

Updated at 11.41am AEST on 26 July 2021.