NSW has reported 32,297 new Covid cases and 32 deaths as hospitalisations and intensive care presentations rise.
NSW has recorded 32,297 new Covid-19 cases on Wednesday, as well as 32 deaths of people with the virus.
There are 2863 people in hospital with coronavirus, with 217 of those in intensive care, up from 2850 and 209 respectively on Tuesday.
Health officials said 12,450 of the new infections were detected on rapid antigen tests and 19,847 were found through PCR testing.
As of Tuesday, 95.2 per cent of people in NSW aged over 16 have had one dose of a Covid vaccine, 93.8 per cent have had two and 27.8 per cent have received a booster.
Among children aged 12 to 15, 82.2 per cent have received their first dose of a vaccine, while 78.3 per cent have had two shots.
Of children aged five to 11, 16.4 per cent have had one dose of the vaccine since January 10, when this age group became eligible.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has vowed to have students return to classrooms from the start of term 1 next week, with the government working to distribute rapid tests to schools across the state.
A delivery of 1.2 million rapid antigen tests arrived in the state on Monday night and a further 15 million kits are expected within the next week.
Mr Perrottet said on Tuesday the deliveries would go a long way to ensure children get back to school on time.
“The World Health (Organisation) has said, schools should be the last to close and the first to open,” he said.
He said teachers and students who are positive would need to isolate at times, but that was a better issue to be dealing with than having schools closed.
“We need kids back in the classrooms, it’s best for them. It’s best for the educational outcomes, mental health and their social outcomes, particularly for disadvantaged groups across the state,” he said.
Mr Perrottet and Health Minister Brad Hazzard are due to speak to the media at 10am on Wednesday.
They will be joined by chief health officer Kerry Chant and NSW Health deputy secretary Susan Pearce.
Meanwhile, Victoria has recorded 20,769 new Covid infections from both PCR and rapid tests, as well as 18 deaths.
There are 1173 people in Victorian hospitals with the virus, with 125 people in ICU including 42 patients on ventilators.
Originally published as NSW records 32,297 new Covid cases, 32 deaths, 2863 people in hospital
For all the latest Covid-19 News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
