The Murrumbidgee Local Health District has recorded 131 new COVID-19 cases overnight, while NSW's daily case tally exceeded 21,000 on the last day of reporting for 2021.
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As of 8pm on Thursday, 21,151 people have been diagnosed with the virus from 148,410 tests conducted across the state within 24 hours, and 720 cases are yet to be assigned to an LHD.
Six people have died overnight while the number of hospitalisations has risen with 832 COVID-19 patients admitted, 69 of whom require intensive care and 19 of those requiring ventilation.
With many turning to rapid antigen testing or still waiting for results of PCR tests, chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant said NSW Health believes there to be more cases than what has been reported.
"While we are reporting 21,151 cases in the community, it's likely that the case numbers are higher than that and there is a lot of transmission of COVID occurring," she said.
The definition of a 'close contact' has now changed in NSW and only those who are symptomatic, living with a confirmed case, spent four or more hours with a confirmed case in a 'household-like' setting or returned a positive rapid antigen test can receive a PCR test.
IN OTHER NEWS:
Residents are no longer eligible for a PCR test if they have been potentially exposed to the virus at an indoor venue such as a retail store, restaurant, bar and club or workplace, or an outdoor setting such as a sporting event, concert, festival or other ticketed event.
Those who are asymptotic or worried they have been exposed to the virus can take a RAT, but it will not be provided by the government for free.
Pharmacies across Wagga have sold out of the rapid tests and are struggling to secure stock amid such unprecedented demand.
Publicly funded RATs will be provided to household contacts or people experiencing symptoms, as announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Thursday as state-wide testing clinics move to rely less on PCR testing.
The isolation periods for COVID-positive people have also changed in NSW, cut down to seven days with a negative RAT test on the sixth day all that's required in order to be able to leave home on the seventh.
Across NSW, 95 per cent of people aged 16 and over have received the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 93.6 per cent have received two doses.
Of the people aged 12 to 15, 81.5 per cent have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and 78.2 per cent have received two doses.
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.
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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