NSW today reported a record 5715 new COVID-19 infections, and Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant later said up to 80 per cent of the state's cases at the moment are the variant of concern.
Dr Chant added a large proportion of the Omicron cases are circulating in the state's young population.
"The increase in Omicron largely explains the steep rise in cases," she said.
"Over about 70 per cent of cases are in the age group of 10 to 39-year-olds. Very young."
Dr Chant said both the Delta variant and the Omicron variant are circulating in NSW.
She added Omicron is up to 80 per cent less severe than Delta.
"Pulling together multiple pieces of evidence from overseas countries such as South Africa and the UK, and using some of our own emerging data, it indicates that infection with Omicron is likely to be milder than infection with Delta, with the risk of hospitalisation being around 60 per cent to 80 per cent less than for Delta," Dr Chant said.
The variant is, however, more transmissible, explaining the surge in cases.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said while Omicron had not been causing as much anxiety about its severity as other COVID-19 strains had, authorities were still on high alert.
"The government is on high alert. I think the community should be on high alert. We don't know yet. It's too early," he said.
Long testing lines and changing COVID-19 restrictions
NSW saw long COVID-19 testing lines again today as a result of growing case numbers.
NSW Police will be increasing their presence at clinics due to an increase of "anti-social and aggressive behaviour" due to the lengthy queues.
"Our frontline health workers are giving up their Christmas to take care of the people of NSW, so police will have a strong presence at our busiest testing clinics, ready to deal with anyone taking out their frustrations on people trying to care for our community," Deputy Premier Paul Toole said.
QR codes have been reinstated in retail and low-risk settings.
The state government will look to provide free rapid antigen tests to residents starting early next year.
The planned easing of capacity limits on public transport services will also be delayed until late in January next year.
A 75 per cent limit will remain on services until then.
"In light of the current environment and measures announced by the Premier today, I have directed this work to be delayed to keep commuters and staff safe," NSW Minister for Transport David Elliott said.
Another surge in NSW case numbers
NSW today saw another surge in infections, recording 5715 new cases in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.
One new death was recorded, that of a man in his 40s at Westmead Hospital.
He was not vaccinated and had underlying health conditions.
There are 347 people in hospital with the virus, and 45 in intensive care, 13 of whom require ventilation.
There were 160,471 COVID-19 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with the previous day's total of 151,443.
The largest proportion of new cases came from the South Eastern Sydney local health district, with 1186, followed by Hunter New England with 976.
One case was from a correctional facility.
Smiles and hugs as families are reunited in regional NSW
NSW residents urged to get booster shots
Mr Perrottet said 158,000 COVID-19 booster shots had been issued in NSW as of yesterday.
Mr Perrottet urged everyone eligible to get a booster shot.
"It's our best line of defence as we move through this next phase of the pandemic," he said.
The Premier said advice that Omicron will likely be five times less severe than Delta was very pleasing.
"The early signs are encouraging," he said.
Mr Hazzard said people who received the AstraZeneca vaccine "should definitely" get the booster vaccine.
"Because we do know that particularly for older people, and those who had AstraZeneca, whilst it was fabulous for the time, it does have its challenges now and its waning effect on immunity, so we need to get a booster," he said.
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMijQFodHRwczovL3d3dy45bmV3cy5jb20uYXUvbmF0aW9uYWwvY29yb25hdmlydXMtbnN3LXVwZGF0ZXMtNTcxNS1uZXctZGFpbHktY2FzZXMtb25lLWRlYXRoLXFyLWNvZGVzLXJldHVybi9kOTBjMmRjNi1iMWQwLTQ2MmEtYWRjYS03MmJhOTJhNWM3MzLSAQA?oc=5
2021-12-23 07:35:45Z
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