Two people in the Riverina have passed away overnight with COVID-19, including a man in his 20s at Albury Base Hospital, as case numbers continue to rise locally.
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On Saturday NSW Health reported 839 new cases of the virus within the Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD), an increase from yesterday's tally of 747.
A total of 48,768 new cases were recorded across New South Wales overnight, and 20 deaths.
Of these 20 deaths, two people were from the Riverina.
"A man in his 20s died at Albury Base Hospital," a NSW Health spokesperson confirmed.
"He had received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine and had serious underlying health conditions.
"We express our sincere condolences to their loved ones."
Of the new cases reported on Saturday more than 21,000 were self-reported rapid antigen tests and 27,020 were PCR tests.
There are 2576 patients in NSW hospitals, slightly up on the 2525 reported on Friday. Of them, 193 are in intensive care.
The state is 93.8 per cent double dosed for eligible residents 16 or over.
More than 24 per cent have also had a booster, while 8.9 per cent of children aged five to 11 have received their first jab.
While more people are dying with the virus in NSW than at any other time during the pandemic, authorities maintain things are going better than expected and predict the outbreak will soon peak.
Worst case scenario modelling suggested 6000 people could be in hospital at the peak of the outbreak, with 10 per cent in intensive care.
Premier Dominic Perrottet on Friday said the state had "a difficult few weeks ahead" but things not currently being as bad as feared was "very reassuring and encouraging".
NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant warned about half the people in NSW could become infected during the Omicron wave, though some would be asymptomatic and may never even know they had contracted the virus.
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NSW Health continues to urge anyone who is eligible to book in for a vaccine booster.
"People aged 18 years and over are eligible for a booster if they had their second dose at least four months ago," the department said.
"We urge people to get their booster dose as soon as they are eligible, to best protect themselves, their loved ones and the community from the ongoing transmission of COVID-19. We also strongly recommend that people aged 12 years and over who are severely immunocompromised have a third primary dose of vaccine from two months after their second dose."
The federal government's online vaccine clinic finder can be used to locate a clinic and book a jab.
COVID testing sites are open in Wagga seven days a week at the MLHD's Murray Street clinic, between 8am and 4pm, and at the drive-through site at Wagga Showground between 7.30am and 12.30pm.
Laverty Pathology also operates a drive-through clinic in the Riverina Playhouse car park, off Cross and Tarcutta streets, between 8am and noon on weekdays.
Appointments are required for a COVID test at the GP-led respiratory clinic at Glenrock in Glenfield Park, where people can be tested between 9am and 5pm on weekdays.
The community is reminded to monitor for symptoms and if they occur, stay home and isolate until you can access a test.
For further testing locations across the region, 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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