NSW records eight new Omicron COVID-19 cases, bringing state total to 42

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet

Premier Dominic Perrottet has said an increasing number of cases of the Omicron COVID-19 variant in NSW would not impact the easing of restrictions next week.

The total number of Omicron infections in NSW has risen to 42 with eight new cases reported.

None of the state’s Omicron cases have been admitted to hospital.

NSW Health confirmed that three of the new Omicron cases were people who were on a Sydney Harbour party boat cruise on Sunday.

The state recorded 420 cases of COVID-19 and one death in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.

Mr Perrottet said the government was closely monitoring the spread and severity of the Omicron variant and he’s been optimistic about the data so far.

He said he wasn’t concerned about delays to the NSW roadmap to lift restrictions next week.

“Ultimately, let’s look at the position we’re in today,” he said.

“There are 420 cases, we have low hospitalisation rates … and there are a small minority of people who haven’t [been vaccinated].”

Mandatory mask rules in NSW will be largely scrapped next week and QR code check-ins will also be scaled back.

The Premier said the government was willing and able to make adjustments to health orders based on circumstances, but he said the state needed to learn to live alongside the virus.

“We’re very confident with where we sit today. Let’s not continue to focus solely on the case numbers,” Mr Perrottet said.

A man in his 70s from Lake Macquarie, who was fully vaccinated but had “significant underlying health conditions”, died at Gosford Hospital.

There are currently 151 COVID-19 cases in hospital, with 25 people in intensive care, eight of whom require ventilation.

NSW health authorities say 44 people who went to a pub trivia night in Sydney’s inner west, have been diagnosed with COVID-19.

Sydney Local Health District said anyone who was at the Oxford Tavern in Petersham between 4pm and 10:30pm on Tuesday, November 30 was considered a close contact.

They were told to get tested immediately and self-isolate.

There were 84,883 COVID-19 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with the previous day’s total of 92,566.

Across NSW, 94.7 per cent of people aged 16 and over have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 93 per cent are fully vaccinated.

Of the people aged 12 to 15, 81.4 per cent have received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 77.4 per cent are fully vaccinated.

ABC