NSW records 207 new locally acquired COVID cases and another death

With around a quarter of New South Wales' 207 new COVID-19 cases confirmed to have been in the community for their entire infectious period, the state's Premier has once again stressed the need for vaccination rates to continue improving this month.

"August is the month where all of us should come forward and get vaccinated," NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said.

"I've been saying for some months that 80 per cent of the adult population vaccinated we get our freedoms beyond lockdowns, that's 10 million jabs.

"But clearly when we get to five million jabs or when we get to 9.2 million jabs, which is the 70 per cent number, we'll be able to have a bit more freedom."

The comments came after the state was notified of another COVID-19 related death - a man in his 90s from South West Sydney who had received one dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine - bringing the total number of deaths connected to the current outbreak to 15.

Of today's 207 locally acquired COVID-19 cases, 89 were in isolation throughout their entire infectious period, 21 for part of their period and 51 for the entire period. The isolation status of 46 cases remains under investigation.

VIC tightens border bubble restrictions

Travelling across the border south into Victoria from border bubble communities in New South Wales is set to become more restricted from 11.59pm tomorrow when new rules kick in.

Announced today by the Victorian government the new rules will mean those in border communities without a travel permit must have one of six reasons to go south.

The six categories of permitted activity for border bubble residents without a permit are:

• For necessary goods or services
• For care and compassion reasons
• For paid or voluntary work
• For education
• To receive a COVID-19 vaccine
• Or for sport or exercise.

Fines will apply for cross-border travel for inessential reasons.

Updated at 11.49am AEST on 2 August 2021.