13 new cases of COVID-19 were recorded across the Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) on Saturday as the state reached a record number of daily cases.
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New South Wales today reported 2482 new cases of the virus, the highest daily tally reported by any Australian state or territory since the beginning of the pandemic.
These cases were diagnosed from 137,149 tests, surpassing the previous daily case number record of 2297 set by Victoria on October 14.
New South Wales' recent spike in cases - up from just 260 on December 7 earlier this month - hasn't yet translated into more intensive care patients, with 206 COVID patients currently in hospital.
26 of these patients are in the ICU, two more than yesterday's reporting period, and nine require ventilation.
There was also one COVID-related death reported on Saturday.
Wagga MP Joe McGirr this week said that hospitalisation rates will be key in determining whether stricter COVID rules are needed.
Across the state there are now 226 cases of the Omicron variant, however NSW Health advised that the majority of today's cases are likely this variant as well.
"With the high number of COVID-19 cases now in NSW, NSW Health will only undertake genomic sequencing for the Omicron variant in the circumstances where it will make a clinical difference to the care of a patient," a NSW Health spokesperson said in a statement.
"For instance, where it will inform treatment choices as some therapies work with Delta but not for Omicron, and in situations where it will inform public health action."
Across NSW 93.3 per cent of those aged 16 and over are fully vaccinated, and 78 per cent of those aged 12 to 15 are double-dosed.
Despite a relaxing of COVID-19 restrictions, particularly around mask wearing in most circumstances, NSW Health is continuing to urge people to wear one in situations where social distancing is not possible.
NSW Health is also encouraging people to consider using a rapid antigen test before going out, if you do not have symptoms.
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The community is encouraged to keep coming forward for COVID-19 testing and vaccination.
Vaccinations can be booked at more than 100 providers across the Riverina by using healthdirect.gov.au.
Testing in Wagga is available at the MLHD's Murray Street testing clinic between 9am and 4pm daily or the drive-through site at Wagga Showground until 6pm daily, at Laverty Pathology's drive-through site in the Riverina Playhouse car park off Tarcutta and Cross streets from 8am daily, and at the GP-led respiratory clinic at Glenrock in Glenfield Park between 9am and 5pm weekdays.
Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, sore throat, cough, headache, runny nose, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle aches or pains, and a change in taste or smell.
For further 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.
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