NSW sets another record with 830 COVID-19 cases and three deaths

New South Wales set a new record for daily COVID-19 infections with 830 cases reported in the last 24 hours. 

Three deaths were also recorded including a man in his sixties, a woman in her sixties and another man in his eighties.

"To each of those peoples' families, I want to express my condolences to them," Health Minister Brad Hazzard said. 

The death toll from the current outbreak now stands at 71. 

At least 550 people are being treated for COVID-19 in hospital with 94 people in ICU. 

Mr Hazzard said the case numbers reflect what happened 14 days ago, which will inform how the COVID-19 restrictions will be managed. 

"We just need everybody to go back to basics and the basics are this virus can only move from one person to another if you are in close proximity."

NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys condemned anti-lockdown protesters who gathered in Sydney's CBD yesterday.

He said the deployment of at least 1,400 officers ensured the planned large-scale protest did not happen.

He warned protesters against any further gatherings. 

"Nothing surprises us about what these sorts of people may be planning and we are well in front of it. New South Wales police force will put together a policing response to whatever is required."

The state also processed a record of more than 206,000 tests, as labs caught up on a backlog of about 60,000 results.

NSW deputy chief health officer Dr Marianne Gale said teams are working to clear the backlog.  

“Our teams have been working to catch up on the backlog of negative tests and getting that into the system. That backlog has not affected any positive results. They have all come through a separate mechanism," she said. 

"We estimate that to be around a backlog of 60,000 that is now a quarter, so the actual real reflection of test reported is around 140,000."

More details to come.

SBS is providing live translations of daily New South Wales and Victoria COVID-19 press conferences in various languages. Click here for more information.

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