New South Wales has recorded 516 new cases of COVID-19 while the number of Omicron variant infections remains the same.
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NSW Health's Dr Jeremy McAnulty said the cases were identified from more than 90,000 tests for COVID-19 in NSW in the 24 hours to 8pm on Thursday.
"In terms of Omicron, there are a total of 42 cases of Omicron now identified in NSW, 13 of these cases were acquired overseas or on an international flight and the other 29 were locally acquired," Dr McAnulty said.
"There were no new cases confirmed with the Omicron variant of concern overnight. To date, no Omicron cases have been admitted to hospital in NSW for treatment of COVID-19."
Twenty-four of the Omicron cases are linked to a cluster at two schools and a climbing gym in Sydney's southwest while five are linked to a boat party in Sydney Harbour on December 3.
One of the new cases was identified at Noah's Backpackers in Bondi, prompting its 90 residents to get tested and go into lockdown on Thursday.
"At this time, Omicron is not suspected," Dr McAnulty said.
Dr McAnulty said NSW is "concerned about transmission taking place in pubs, clubs and party settings".
"The transmission in these types of settings is contributing to the increasing cases in NSW and we urge people to not attend these types of social functions or venues if you have any symptoms at all, even if mild," he said.
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Of the 516 cases reported to 8pm last night, 117 are from Western Sydney Local Health District (LHD), 115 are from South Western Sydney LHD, 86 are from South Eastern Sydney LHD, 84 are from Sydney LHD, 25 are from Northern Sydney LHD and 21 are from Northern NSW LHD.
In the regions, 15 are from Nepean Blue Mountains LHD, 11 are from Hunter New England LHD, 11 are from Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD, 10 are from Central Coast LHD, six are from Murrumbidgee LHD, five are from Western NSW LHD, four are from Mid North Coast LHD, one is from Southern NSW LHD and five are yet to be assigned to a LHD.
There are currently 158 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 24 people in intensive care, nine of whom require ventilation.
Across NSW, 94.7 per cent of people aged 16 and over have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 93 per cent are fully vaccinated.
Of the people aged 12 to 15, 81.4 per cent have received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 77.5 per cent are fully vaccinated.
Shivé Prema
I am a video journalist and host of the Newcastle Herald TikTok account! I spend most of my days filming and editing videos but also like to write articles as well. I'm new to Newcastle, so I like to spend my spare time exploring this city and its many beaches.
I am a video journalist and host of the Newcastle Herald TikTok account! I spend most of my days filming and editing videos but also like to write articles as well. I'm new to Newcastle, so I like to spend my spare time exploring this city and its many beaches.
