NSW Covid crisis: Glimmer of hope as state records massive surge in vaccinations

NSW Covid crisis: Glimmer of hope as state records massive surge in vaccinations
NSW Covid crisis: Glimmer of hope as state records massive surge in vaccinations

Covid case numbers are through the roof and by most metrics the pandemic is going in the wrong direction for New South Wales

But there is a glimmer of hope for greater Sydney in a massive surge in vaccinations, with NSW recording its highest ever number of immunisations on Wednesday. 

There were 79,319 jabs in arms in total, including 24,706 shots via NSW Health mass vaccination clinics, 53,089 via GPs and 1,524 from the Commonwealth-run aged care rollout.

It came on the same day the state recorded a pandemic-high number of cases, at 239, including 70 cases infectious in the community, picked up from more than 110,000 tests - another milestone.

The vaccination silver lining comes as amid a change in official advice on AstraZeneca.

All Sydney residents have been urged to come forward and get the jab, due to the severity of the outbreak.

Adults of any age will also be able to book an AstraZeneca vaccine at NSW Health clinics from tomorrow, and at 450 pharmacies across the state from next week. 

Areas of greater Sydney (eastern suburbs residents are above) are about to come under even stricter lockdown restrictions, it was announced on Wednesday. But there is a glimmer of hope in record vaccination rates

Areas of greater Sydney (eastern suburbs residents are above) are about to come under even stricter lockdown restrictions, it was announced on Wednesday. But there is a glimmer of hope in record vaccination rates

More than 24,000 shots were delivered at NSW Health-run clinics, with the majority of shots delivered by GPs through the federal-run program

More than 24,000 shots were delivered at NSW Health-run clinics, with the majority of shots delivered by GPs through the federal-run program

'We have pharmacies opening across the state providing the AstraZeneca vaccine and we have local initiatives so I urge you to go to the (NSW Health) website and find out about those,' Dr Kerry Chant said on Thursday. 

The state government has also released figures showing there are fewer cases of Covid-19 among elderly demographics, who have higher vaccination rates. 

In fact, about two thirds of cases in NSW over the past fortnight are under the age of 40.  'This is not only an old person's disease,' Dr Chant said.

Official figures say eight people aged over 90 have caught Covid, 30 between 80 to 89, 41 over 70 and 117 over 60.

During the same period, 270 people aged 11 to 20, 394 people aged between 20 and 29 and 359 people aged 30 to 39 tested positive to the virus.

197 people aged between 40-49 tested positive, and 247 between 50 and 59. 

Ms Berejiklian asked NSW to imagine a future where the state is freer than others, because of high vaccination rates. 

'Whilst we're going through a very difficult time in NSW, let's think about a period of time when potentially, if we live more free than any other state, because our vaccination rates are higher.'

Premier Berejiklian said 'let's think about a period of time when potentially, if we live more free than any other state, because our vaccination rates are higher'. Above, long queues at Homebush

Premier Berejiklian said 'let's think about a period of time when potentially, if we live more free than any other state, because our vaccination rates are higher'. Above, long queues at Homebush

Premier is called out for claiming NSW's restrictions are the toughest the country has ever seen - despite Melbourne's harsh second wave lockdown and Adelaide's 2.5km exercise limit

Under fire: NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian made some questionable remarks at her daily press conference on Thursday  

Beleaguered Premier Gladys Berejiklian was swiftly called out on social media on Thursday, when she claimed at her daily press conference that the state has the harshest rules of any Australian jurisdiction so far. 

The remark came after Sky News journalist Andrew Clennell demanded Ms Berejiklian admit her strategy had failed to stop the spread of Delta variant, dooming the city to at least four more weeks of lockdown, but possibly more. 

Clennell asked: 'Will you admit... the strategy is failing and this death of 1,000 cuts, a little bit of restrictions every day, is not working and you have to come down hard?'  

Ms Berejiklian responded that Sydney's mobility data showed the population was abiding by the restrictions, and claimed: 'Well, we have harsher restrictions in place than any other state has ever had.' 

MELBOURNE: During Australia's longest lockdown of 2020, residents were required to wear masks outside (above, at St Kilda) - and police were never far away

MELBOURNE: During Australia's longest lockdown of 2020, residents were required to wear masks outside (above, at St Kilda) - and police were never far away

ADELAIDE: South Australia's lockdown earlier this month saw the introduction of the nation's harshest ever restrictions, including a 2.5km exercise limit. Above, testing queues in the 'city of churches'

ADELAIDE: South Australia's lockdown earlier this month saw the introduction of the nation's harshest ever restrictions, including a 2.5km exercise limit. Above, testing queues in the 'city of churches'

Veteran journalist Janine Perrett tweeted in response: 'Will NSW Premier stop saying these are the harshest measures anywhere Australia has ever seen as it is blatantly untrue.'

Punter Dianne Kaines erupted: 'I'm incandescent with rage. What an out and

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