73 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported within the Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) on Wednesday as cases across the state skyrocket and a huge demand for testing remains.
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New South Wales smashed all records on Wednesday with 11,201 new infections from a whopping 157,758 tests.
The daily cases are nearly double Tuesday's figure of 6062.
Three people passed away with COVID in the latest reporting period across the state, and there are currently 625 patients in hospital with the virus, 61 in intensive care and 23 requiring ventilation.
In the MLHD there are currently six patients being cared for in the medical ward with the virus, and one patient being cared for in special hotel accomodation.
The health district confirmed in a statement on Wednesday there are 367 active cases of COVID across the district, with 1,494 total cases since July 1 this year.
"The majority of cases are linked to a known cluster or household contact, have mild symptoms and are currently receiving Care in the Home," an MLHD spokesperson said.
Testing for travel purposes is not currently advised at MLHD clinics, according to the spokesperson, with high demand and wait times of over 72 hours for results.
Across the MLHD 97.1 per cent of residents aged 16 and over are fully vaccinated against the virus, plus 81.4 per cent of those aged 12 to 15.
In its update, the MLHD did not advise which local government area's currently have, or have had, cases of COVID in the past week.
Premier Dominic Perrottet, Health Minister Brad Hazzard and the state's Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant are due to give a press conference today at 12.30pm.
Due to the rise in cases NSW Health says it is changing its approach to contact tracing and will be prioritising households and settings with vulnerable people that may have been exposed to the virus being prioritised.
"People who have been confirmed as COVID-19 cases are asked to tell those they have recently spent time with that they have tested positive," a spokesperson said.
"Most people who become aware that they been exposed to a person with COVID-19 will be advised of this by their friends, colleagues and social networks.
"We will only make contact with a small number of exposed people to direct them into self-isolation under the public health order."
Testing queues across Wagga remain filled with people coming forward to get a COVID test, with people waiting hours at a time for their swab in a line, or in their car at a drive-through clinic.
Yesterday MLHD chief exective Jill Ludford said Wagga clinics were working to test triple the number of people than usual this holiday season, with around 500 people tested at each clinic on Monday.
Ms Ludford was speaking at Wagga Base Hospital during a press conference held by the Premier, during a tour of the facility where he met with local healthcare workers.
He has called for people to be more discerning when it comes to getting a PCR test, and to opt for a rapid antigen test instead.
The only people who should get a PCR test are those with symptoms, who have been directed to get tested by NSW Health or need one to travel, the Premier added.
Mr Perrottet also called for Queensland to drop its requirement that people need a negative PCR test in order to travel, arguing it is the main contributor to current stresses on the testing system.
On Wednesday morning Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk responded and said their directive will move from a negative PCR test to a negative rapid antigen test from January 1.
In Wagga yesterday, Mr Perrottet maintained that NSW's healthcare system is "the best in the nation" and shot down remarks by the shadow health minister that it's at a "breaking point" amid the ongoing Omicron outbreak and huge testing demand.
IN OTHER NEWS:
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 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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