NSW Health is recommending masks be worn on public transport and in some indoor settings as COVID-19 cases rise, but there is little chance of mandatory restrictions returning.
The current wave of COVID-19 cases is continuing, with 22,672 people diagnosed with the virus in NSW this week, an increase of 52.8 per cent since the previous week.
PCR testing for COVID-19 has increased by 17.7 per cent compared to the previous week despite testing and isolation no longer being mandatory.
“Because of the high level of COVID-19 transmission across the state, NSW Health is recommending that masks should be worn in indoor public places where physically distancing is not possible, and on public transport,” NSW Health recommends.
But the recommendations will not change government policy on COVID-19. There will be no return to mask mandates or any kind of capacity restrictions heading into summer.
There’s an expectation that the current wave has likely peaked, or will peak in the coming weeks, with case numbers set to drop through December.
There were 24 COVID-19 deaths reported this week. Of these, eight (33 per cent) had not received three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. There were no deaths in people aged under 65 years. Deaths may not have occurred in the week in which they were reported.
One death has occurred in the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District in the past week, while three people have been admitted to ICU.
Troy Dodds is the Weekender’s Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.
