Higher case numbers likely for NSW as state records 291 new local infections

New South Wales has today reported the highest daily case number from the current outbreak to date with 291 new infections confirmed.

According to Premier Gladys Berejiklian the daily case numbers are likely going to stay high in the coming days, with infection numbers in the local government area (LGA) of Canterbury Bankstown of particular concern to health authorities.

"I do want to foreshadow that, given this high number of cases, we're likely to see this trend continue for the next few days," Berejiklian said.

"I'm expecting higher case numbers in the next few days and I just want everybody to be prepared for that."

Of today's cases, 91 were in isolation throughout their infectious period and 96 were in the community for part or all of their infectious period. The isolation status of 104 cases remains under investigation.

The state also reported another death today - a woman in her 60s from Southwestern Sydney who tested positive on 29 July and acquired her infection in the Liverpool Hospital.

Two new cases were reported in the Newcastle area overnight after the Hunter and Upper Hunter regions went into lockdown yesterday, however both cases are linked to already known infections.

Even though all of the cases in the Newcastle cluster are linked, NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant has called upon residents of the regional hub and the surrounding areas to come forward for testing.

"We need those high testing rates to give us that assurance that we're not missing those chains of transmission," Dr Chant said.

Dr Chant also stressed that while the curve in Fairfield has been flattening, she is concerned about rising case numbers in the LGA of Canterbury Bankstown.

"We're seeing escalating cases in Campsie, Bankstown, Lakemba, Punchbowl, Wiley Park, Yagoona, Greenacre, Earlwood, Bass Hill, Canterbury and Chester Hill," Dr Chant said.

"So it is important for anyone going into that area for essential work, working in that area, living in that area to be very very vigilant.

"We are seeing transmission, potentially around shopping areas, and so I urge everyone do not enter shops when there are other people in the shop. Wait outside, keep your social distance, wear your mask correctly at all times, and stay safe."

Premier issues a "call to arms" for vaccine uptake

One of today's key messages from the NSW Premier was encouraging people to get vaccinated.

Her message comes as the state revealed around 84,000 people received a jab on Wednesday, but Berejiklian said she wants that number to increase.

"I also, again, want to really literally send out a call to arms in New South Wales: please come forward and get vaccinated," Berejiklian said.

"We are doing better than what we had previously in terms of the number of people getting vaccinated every day and that's a positive.

"I can't tell you how important it is for us to get those vaccination rates up, because it will give government better options on what we can do moving forward and certainly the health experts will feel more confident giving us advice once we know we have higher rates off vaccination."

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard echoed the Premier's comments, particularly in relation to Year 12 students in Sydney LGAs of concern who are set to receive a Pfizer jab soon, calling it a "golden opportunity".

"You have your HSC coming up in October, and in order to be able to do that safely, for you to be able to go sit your exams, you're being given a golden opportunity to attend the Qudos Bank Arena next week," Hazzard said.

"We've seen the most amazing stars in the Qudos Bank Arena. There's been Lana Del Rey, Keith Urban, Pink, just so many people.

"You have the chance to go into that stadium next week and actually land some gold by getting your first vaccination."

Updated at 11.53am AEST on 6 August 2021.