For our free coronavirus pandemic coverage, learn more here.<\/p>\n
NSW has reported 1022 new local coronavirus cases, as it was announced stay-at-home restrictions would be reintroduced for three regional councils.<\/p>\n
Lockdown measures will be reintroduced in the Byron, Kempsey and Tweed council areas in northern NSW from 5pm today for one week.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnfortunately, we\u2019ve had some cases in the northern part of the state,\u201d Health Minister Brad Hazzard said at Tuesday morning\u2019s coronavirus update.<\/p>\n
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NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard at Tuesday\u2019s coronavirus update. <\/span>Credit:<\/span>Kate Geraghty<\/cite><\/p>\n Mr Hazzard encouraged locals to \u201ctake this very seriously\u201d, expressing concern about low testing and vaccination rates in the region.<\/p>\n The rules apply to anyone who has been in Kempsey since September 14 and Byron or Tweed since September 18.<\/p>\n Ten deaths from COVID-19 have been recorded since yesterday\u2019s update: six were not vaccinated, two people had received one dose of a vaccine and two people \u2013 a woman in her 90s who was a resident at Guildford Nursing Home and a man in his 80s \u2013 were fully vaccinated.<\/p>\n The woman was the third death linked to Guildford Nursing Home, where more than 40 residents have tested positive.<\/p>\n Two of the deaths acquired their infection in a public hospital: a man in his 80s who was a patient at Canterbury Hospital and died at Concord Hospital, and a man in his 80s who died at Hornsby Hospital, where he acquired his infection.<\/p>\n Some western Sydney councils now have first-dose vaccination rates of above 95 per cent, as people continue to come forward for shots ahead of NSW\u2019s planned reopening next month.<\/p>\n The Hills Shire and Camden councils both report more than 95 per cent of their residents aged 15 and over having received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, according to data released by the federal government on Monday night.<\/p>\n Other councils areas in Sydney with high rates of coverage included Ku-ring-gai (more than 93 per cent of people aged 15 and over), Blacktown (more than 92 per cent), Hornsby (about 92 per cent) and Campbelltown (more than 90 per cent).<\/p>\n In regional NSW, Orange, Warren, Narromine, Lachlan and Gilgandra all hit 90 per cent first-dose vaccination last week. In the Murray River region, the rate is now above 95 per cent.<\/p>\n From 12pm, kids aged under 18 in lockdown areas across the state can visit their friends\u2019 houses.<\/p>\n The new measure, approved at NSW crisis cabinet on Monday, allows children from fully vaccinated households to nominate two friends who are allowed to come to their house to play.<\/p>\n Victoria reported another record number of local coronavirus cases in its outbreak on Tuesday: there were 603 new infections reported by the state and one death.<\/p>\n Stay across the most crucial developments related to the pandemic with the Coronavirus Update. <\/i><\/b>Sign up for the weekly newsletter<\/i><\/b>.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\nCouncils report 95pc first-dose vaccination<\/h3>\n
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