177 new COVID-19 cases across NSW with 22 of those in the Murrumbidgee Local Health District

Wagga LGA has reported one new case in the past 24 hours from 8pm on Saturday, similarity to Berrigan and the Greater Hume Shire.

Three cases are residents of the Murray River LGA, the second largest number of cases within the MLHD today behind the growing situation in Albury, which as seen 445 local cases since the start of the Delta variant.

As of now, 568 cases and three deaths have been recorded across the MLHD since July.

The MLHD is advising people within the following areas to monitor symptoms and get tested if necessary after fragments of the virus were detected in Wagga, Leeton and Young sewage.

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Albury, Hilltops and the Greater Hume have been the hardest hit by COVID infections across the region this year, recording the highest numbers of cases.

Since the start of the Delta outbreak, there have been 25 local cases recorded in Hilltops LGA , 26 in the Greater Hume LGA, 15 in Edward River LGA, 19 in Murray River LGA, 10 in Federation LGA, 11 in Berrigan LGA, 11 in Wagga Wagga LGA, two in Coolamon LGA, two in Murrumbidgee LGA, one in Cootamundra-Gundagai and one in Griffith LGA.

The MLHD is currently providing additional testing facilities in Albury and Jerilderie, including:

Pop up clinics will be available this week in Albury, Blighty, Conargo, Deniliquin, Henty, Junee, Leeton, Tumbarumba, Tumut, Wagga Wagga (Ashmont), Wanganalla and Young as the MLHD continues to urge anyone with even the mildest of cold-like symptoms to come forward immediately for testing.

For testing locations across the District go to www.mlhd.health.nsw.gov.au, or for help accessing a test call the Murrumbidgee COVID-19 Hotline 1800 831 099.

More on the pandemic:

Across New South Wales, 177 new local cases of the virus were reported on Sunday as well as one death.

One overseas case has been reported statewide, and more than 75,000 tests were conducted to 8pm on Saturday.

There are currently 340 people in NSW hospitalised with COVID, 78 of which require intensive care.

93.5 per cent of those aged 16 or older have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine while 87.5 of those have received their second.

On Monday, the regions will be open to Sydney travelers, with an delay on regional travel announced by the NSW government earlier this month to give time for LGAs to catch up to the city's vaccination number's.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said that the delay was not due to a slow climb in vaccinations across regional areas, but that Sydney's vaccination rate "far exceeded expectations".

"We've given that breathing space to provide and instill confidence in the bush," he said.

"There were still concerns in relation to their vaccination rate, but largely that two week period has brought confidence back up and I think we're ready to go."

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