The Murrumbidgee Local Health District reported 51 new infections of COVID-19 on Sunday as health minister Brad Hazzard warned that "pretty well everybody" across New South Wales would be diagnosed with the Omicron variant at some stage.
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Anyone who was at the Hotel on Saturday, December 18 after 7.30pm is asked to be on alert for COVID symptoms and come forward for testing if even the mildest of symptoms arise.
Over 480 people checked into the venue at that time and should have received a Service NSW test message to monitor for symptoms, an MLHD spokesperson said in a statement.
Across the state on Sunday 6394 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported - a slight increase from the day prior - from 109,545 tests.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet thanked people across the state on Sunday for their "amazing sacrifices" over the Christmas period as thousands of people spent Christmas Day in isolation.
He said as case numbers continue to increase "more sacrifices will need to be made", but that rules are put in place to "keep our community safe".
NSW health minister Brad Hazzard warned that "pretty well everybody" across the state would be diagnosed with the Omicron variant of the virus at some stage.
"...we're all going to get Omicron, and if we're all going to get Omicron, the best way to face it is when we have full vaccinations including our booster," he said.
Mr Hazzard also asked states requiring negative PCR tests for travel, such as South Australia and Queensland, to review this directive, saying that it is putting "enormous" pressure on the pathology system in NSW.
This comes as 2000 NSW Health staff members are currently furloughed across the state.
There are currently 458 people in hospital with the virus as of 8pm Saturday, with 52 patients in intensive care and 15 requiring ventilation.
No one has died with the virus in NSW during the past 24 hour period.
Across NSW 93.5 per cent of people aged 16 and over have had two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, plus 78.3 per cent of those aged 12 to 15.
From Christmas Eve the state government re-introduced mandatory masks for all indoor, non-residential settings unless eating or drinking. This includes mandatory masks for hospitality staff and in offices.
From tomorrow (Monday, December 27), QR code check-ins will also become compulsory once again, and hospitality venues - including pubs, clubs, restaurants and cafes - will move to a 1 person per 2 sqm rule indoors, with no density limit for outdoor settings.
These new restrictions will remain in place until January 27 next month.
The state government is also urging people to reduce mingling where possible, including when eating and drinking, work from home where possible and hold events outdoors.
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The community is encouraged to keep coming forward for COVID-19 testing and vaccination during the holiday period.
NSW Health says that around a quarter of people exposed to the virus may still develop their infection after seven days.
Vaccinations can be booked at more than 100 providers across the Riverina by using healthdirect.gov.au.
Testing in Wagga is available through the holidays at the MLHD's Murray Street clinic from Sunday to Tuesday between 9am to 12pm, and on Wednesday and Thursday from 9am to 4pm.
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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