NSW Covid cases FALL as the state records its highest number of virus-related deaths NSW recorded 25,168 new Covid-19 cases and 46 deaths overnight Leading epidemiologist revealed promising signs outbreak was 'plateauing' Catherine Bennett warned daily deaths will remain high for weeks ahead By Aidan Wondracz For Daily Mail Australia and Australian Associated Press Published: 22:05 GMT, 20 January 2022 | Updated: 22:05 GMT, 20 January 2022 Viewcomments NSW has recorded 25,168 new Covid-19 cases and 46 deaths overnight. The cases announced on Friday come as a leading epidemiologist warns the state's plateauing case numbers won't be reflected in its death toll for some time. There are 'promising' signs the state is past the worst of the outbreak, Deakin University epidemiologist Catherine Bennett said. While case numbers are unlikely to drop rapidly, as you would expect with a peak, Prof Bennett says they seem to have plateaued - with 30,825 positive results reported on Thursday. A leading epidemiologist has warned the state's plateauing case numbers won't be reflected in its death toll for some time Hospitalisations are no longer climbing rapidly either - dropping by 82 on Thursday to 2781 patients, the first fall since December 13. 'It's really complicated because of the changes to testing protocols and availability of testing has been a problem,' she said. 'But all the indicators, while none of them are truly reliable and they've all shifted around... are looking good.' However, the number of people becoming seriously ill, and dying, with the virus may not drop for weeks, she says. NSW reported another 25 deaths on Thursday, and is likely to cross the 1000-death threshold on Friday. ICU admissions also remain high, with 212 people being cared for, 68 on ventilators. Those two statistics are the key ones to watch, Professor Bennett says. 'People when they go on to a ventilator, instead of it being a short-term ICU visit, they're in there for weeks,' she said. 'When our ventilation numbers drop down to 20, or 10, we'll know we're not going to see as many poor outcomes in the weeks to come.' Also driving down death rates will be the decline of the more serious Delta variant, newly approved early-intervention treatments for COVID-19, and greater take-up of vaccine boosters Also driving down death rates will be the decline of the more serious Delta variant, newly approved early-intervention treatments for COVID-19, and greater take-up of vaccine boosters. 'The booster will be the death knell for Delta, hopefully,' she said. It comes as the NSW government prepares to unveil its plan to return child to school safely at the end of the month. NSW and Victoria pitched their plan to national cabinet on Thursday, after which Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the federal government had agreed to split the cost 50-50 with states opting to surveillance-test students and teachers. Mr Perrottet had earlier confirmed surveillance testing would play a role 'at least in the short term' in ensuring schools remained open from day one of term one - February 1. Almost four-in-five primary school children in NSW are yet to receive their first vaccine dose. Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility