There were another 156 COVID-related hospitalisations across NSW in the 24 hours to 8pm yesterday, bringing the total number of COVID patients in hospital to 2,200.
The announcement, coming at this morning’s daily government press conference, represents significant additional stress being placed on the State’s health system.
The number of people in intensive care has risen to 170, up from 159 in the previous reporting period.
Fifty-one are on a ventilator.
The state also recorded 11 deaths during the reporting period – six women and five men.
Seven of those who died were aged in their 80s, three people in their 90s, and one person was in their 70s.
Nine of the 11 people who died were fully vaccinated.
NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant said that there were 25,870 officially-recorded COVID cases, from 71,325 tests.
This figure is not an accurate reflection of the numbers in NSW, because it does not include Rapid Antigen Tests conducted by people at home, which is now the main type of testing taking place.
NSW residents were told at this morning’s press conference that a system of self-reporting for positive rapid antigen test results would be launched ‘very soon’.
No specific date was given.
Recent stories, information and updates regarding COVID-19
New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Life shows life expectancy in Australia has decreased slightly for the second year in a row. An international team of researchers has found more evidence that COVID-19 came from animals in a Wuhan food market. The lab-leak theory that Covid-19 came from the Wuhan Institute of Virology – instead of a nearby wet market – was thrashed about in public recently, with the US Senate Homeland Security Committee holding a hearing into Covid-19. Eighteen schools in the Northern Rivers division of Richmond have received $25,000 each as part of the federal government’s School Upgrade Fund, Labor Member for Richmond Justine Elliot said last week. COVID-19 reversed earlier trends toward longer life expectancies. During the pandemic, life expectancies globally dropped by 1.6 years according to a new study published in the Lancet medical journal. Let’s not forget that Covid-19 is still a big issue in our community with 31,935 cases reported across Australia in the last week – an average of 4,562 cases per day. The Global Carbon Budget is about to be refreshed, giving the world a critical insight into how efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are (or are not) progressing. Masks will no longer be mandatory on public transport from tomorrow, Wednesday 21 September. SW Police are urging festival-goers at this weekend’s music festival to celebrate in a safe and responsible manner, whilst also being aware of COVID-Safety measures. The Northern NSW Local Health District reports that to 4pm yesterday, Sunday May 22, there were 40 COVID-19 positive patients in hospital in Northern NSW, with one of these in ICU.
COVID-19 reduces Australian life expectancy
Wuhan market increasingly likely origin point for COVID-19
Editorial – There’s a bat in my lab!
Fresh air federal funds for Northern Rivers schools in need
COVID-19 pandemic has cut life expectancy globally
COVID-19 update for New South Wales
Five graphs you need to see before the Global Carbon Budget...
Public transport mask mandate to end
NSW Police: be COVID-vigilant at Splendour in the Grass
COVID-19 update for the NNSWLHD – May 23
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
