ALMOST a third of the 97 fresh NSW coronavirus cases were infectious in the community, adding to an unwanted streak that has elongated the state's lockdown.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian confirmed 97 new cases were added to 8pm on Thursday night, and that 29 were infectious for all of the time they were in the community.
That means there are 75 cases in hospital. 18 of those require intensive care, with five on ventilators.
"That number of people who were infectious keeps going up," Premier Gladys Berejiklian said.
"In the main we just need people to stop moving around."
In other news
Health authorities urged anyone in the community who knew an infected person to go and get tested regardless of symptoms as asymptomatic cases were emerging.
Dr Kerry Chant said there were also unlinked cases emerging, a situation she described as concerning.
"Also we are seeing at times that people are delaying getting a test," she said.
Watch: July 16 COVID-19 daily update
"Don't wait to get tested. This virus spreads so quickly. If you are leaving it for a day or two after symptom onset, you are impacting those nearest and dear to you.
Ms Berejiklian said that regional areas had done well in containing the outbreak to Sydney and staying out of lockdown, urging people in Sydney not to "sneak out" of the area.