New COVID numbers hit 77: one death in NSW

NSW recorded 77 new locally acquired cases overnight, 33 of which were in the community while infectious.

The Premier pointed out that of the 77 new cases, more than 50 had contracted the virus from close family members. She pleaded with residents to abide by the lockdown rules, particularly in the Western Sydney region.

"People in Greater Sydney must stay at home unless it is absolutely necessary to leave," a statement from NSW Health said.

"We cannot have visitors to our homes and everyone is reminded that your household only includes those who live with you, not any other family members.

"We are asking people not to seek exceptions to the rules, but to ensure they comply with them so we reduce the number of infectious cases of COVID-19 in the community."

A woman in her 90s from south west Sydney, who had contracted coronavirus from a relative, died overnight taking the total number of deaths in the state to 57 since the pandemic began. She was tested for COVID-19 on Friday, returning a positive result early Saturday morning and was believed to be unvaccinated. NSW Health, the Premier and Dr Kerry Chant extended their sincere sympathies to the woman's family.

"When you get COVID, unfortunately those most impacted are those closest to you, and tragically we've seen one older person die and I want to extend my deepest condolences to their family and loved ones," Ms Berejiklian said.

The Premier again flagged the possibility of extending the current lockdown in Greater Sydney during Sunday's press conference and said she would be shocked if new COVID cases did not surpass 100 on Monday, after having so many infectious cases out in the community.

"I am confident we will see a turnaround, but we will not see it just yet," Ms Berejiklian said.

There have been 566 locally acquired cases reported since June 16 when the first case in the Bondi cluster was reported.

There are currently 52 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 15 people in intensive care, five of whom require ventilation.

There were 48,754 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with the previous day's total of 42,023.

The growing COVID numbers caused the NSW government to refuse to allow a crowd at State of Origin in Newcastle on Wednesday evening, which made the NRL pull the event from the Hunter and move it to Queensland.

"We are disappointed not to be able to give Newcastle the city's first State of Origin but we must operate within all state public health orders and not having a crowd in Newcastle negates the opportunity for our fans from the region," NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said.

The game will now be played on the Gold Coast.

More than 100 infringement notices have been issued by NSW Police for breaches of the current COVID lockdown rules.

The breaches include six young people who were penalised after an alleged house party on the Central Coast.

The fines came after Tuggerah Lakes Police responded to reports of a house party on Norberta Avenue, The Entrance about 9.40pm Friday. On arrival, police said they spoke with six people - aged between 17 and 22 - who were drinking and celebrating an 18th birthday in breach of the public health orders.

RELATED: How to book your vaccination in Newcastle and the Hunter Valley

Meanwhile the new Belmont Vaccination Centre is expected to open in just over a week, on July 19, and operate seven days a week.

The centre will be staffed by up to 100 nurses and 25 pharmacists or pharmacy technicians, as well as 200 other support staff. Patients will use airport-style kiosks to check in, before approaching one of 30 registration desks.

The centre has a 200-seat pre-vaccination area, 35 vaccination stations and a 300-seat post-vaccination waiting area.

It also has a pharmacy area with space for 38 people to prepare the vaccine, as well as a medical treatment bay.

The centre will have two doctors, a paramedic and an ambulance on site at all times.

Bookings can be made from Monday: https://covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility

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