The Murrumbidgee Local Health District has recorded two new COVID-19 cases overnight while NSW's daily case tally exceeded 3,000 for the first time since the start of the pandemic.
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As of 8pm on Monday, 3,057 people have been diagnosed with the virus from 136,972 tests conducted across the state within 24 hours, and 44 cases are yet to be assigned to an LHD.
NSW Health has reported the deaths of two people overnight, the first, a fully vaccinated man in his 80s in Sydney's south, and the second, a woman in her 70s from the Central West who was unvaccinated.
There are currently 284 COVID-19 cases admitted to the hospital, with 39 people in intensive care, 11 of who require ventilation.
NSW chief health officer Kerry Chant said that while household contacts remain a prominent cause behind the growing number of cases, community transmissions are continuing to rise.
"We continue to see a rapid surge in the number of cases in NSW with transmission occurring as a result of high numbers of people gathering for social events," she said.
"This time of year is a very busy time of year and you can't socially distance in those indoor settings so please wear a mask indoors."
Across NSW, 94.9 per cent of people aged 16 and over have received the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 93.4 per cent have received two doses.
Of the people aged 12 to 15, 81.4 per cent have received the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 78.1 per cent have received two doses.
Around 130,000 booster vaccine shots have been administered across the state with NSW Health saying, "if you are due for a booster over the Christmas/New Year period, you can have it a little earlier".
"We've seen a surge in demand for booster vaccines," Dr Chant said.
"Please assist others and get a booster shot."
The MLHD continues to urge the community to come forward for COVID-19 testing and vaccination.
Vaccinations can be booked at more than 100 providers across the Riverina by using healthdirect.gov.au.
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.
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.
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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