NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has "apologised unreservedly" for the Ruby Princess debacle following an inquiry into the state's handling of the cruise liner's COVID-19 outbreak.
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The Premier said the "comprehensive report" had outlined the mistakes that had been made in allowing passengers to disembark from the cruise ship before COVID-19 had been ruled out as a cause of respiratory illnesses on board.
More than 260 confirmed cases of COVID-19 were linked to the Ruby Princess, and at least 28 deaths - two of which were from Hunter New England.
The inquiry, conducted by Commissioner Bret Walker SC, was established in April after thousands of passengers were allowed to leave the cruise liner in March.
"Can I now apologise unreservedly to anyone who suffered as a result of the mistakes that were outlined in the report undertaken by individuals within the health department or the health agency, and I extend that apology in particular to the 62 people who got the virus in a secondary or tertiary way," Ms Berejiklian said.
"The 62 people who weren't on the ship but somehow contracted the virus as a consequence of that disembarkation.
"I can't imagine what it would be like having a loved one, or being someone yourself who continues to suffer and experience trauma as a result.
"I want to apologise unreservedly to anyone who is continuing to suffer or has suffered unimaginable loss."
Ms Berejiklian said while the report had shown there were not "systemic issues", and the health department and health agency could continue to work on the pandemic.
"Since that time we have learned a lot. we have learned so much since those horrible mistakes," she said.
"As the Premier, I want to apologise again."
There were seven new cases of COVID-19 detected in NSW in the 24 hours to 8pm on Sunday.
Six were acquired locally, three from known clusters.
One was a returned traveller in hotel quarantine.