NSW latest Covid-19 update as at 26 February

NSW recorded no new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night, the 40th consecutive day without a locally acquired case.

Four new cases were acquired overseas, bringing the total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic to 4,977.

There were 15,498 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with the previous day's total of 17,919.

NSW Health thanks the community for coming forward for testing and continues to urge people to do so with even the mildest of symptoms.

Following the New Zealand Government's report on Tuesday of three additional cases of COVID‑19 in Auckland, from 25 February, all people arriving in NSW from New Zealand who have been in Auckland, including Auckland Airport, must either enter hotel quarantine for 14 days or depart Australia.

NSW Health is contacting travellers who have arrived from New Zealand since Saturday 20 February on quarantine-free flights to check if they have been to any new venues of concern attended by an infectious person in Auckland.

As a precaution, people who have arrived since Saturday 20 February and who have been in Auckland are also being asked to get tested for COVID-19 and isolate until they get a negative result.

NSW Health continues to monitor the situation in New Zealand and will update health advice as new information emerges.

COVID-19 restrictions have eased across Greater Sydney and NSW from 12:01am today, with changes including allowing up to 50 visitors at private homes, 30 people at a time dancing at weddings, gym classes of up to 50 subject to the four square metre rule, and cinema capacity rising to 100 per cent. There have been no changes to the rules on wearing face masks. Further information about current restrictions is available What you can and can't do under the rules.

While household gathering restrictions have been eased, people are urged to remember COVID-19 can be transmitted more easily in crowded indoor settings.

If holding gatherings at home, please use outdoor areas and well-ventilated spaces where available and avoid overcrowding to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Don't attend these types of events if you have any COVID-19 symptoms - instead get tested immediately and self-isolate until you receive a negative result.

NSW Health is treating 24 COVID-19 cases, none of whom are in intensive care. Most cases (88 per cent) are being treated in non-acute, out-of-hospital care, including returned travellers in the Special Health Accommodation.

There are more than 350 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW, many of which are open seven days a week. To find your nearest clinic visit COVID-19 clinics or contact your GP.

Likely source of confirmed COVID-19 cases in NSW

Note: Case counts reported for a particular day may vary over time due to ongoing investigations and case review.

*notified from 8pm 24 February 2021 to 8pm 25 February 2021

**from 19 February 2021 to 8pm 25 February 2021

Returned travellers in hotel quarantine to date

* Testing previously carried out on day 10 is now carried out on day 12.