Greater Sydney will remain in lockdown until at least the end of September, as NSW posted another 644 local COVID cases on Friday. Masks will also become mandatory for everyone in NSW whenever they leave home, unless they are exercising. The extension of the Sydney lockdown and compulsory mask-wearing are part of a dramatic tightening of virus rules across NSW …

Premier Gladys Berejiklian says NSW is “learning to live” with the Delta strain as she confirmed 681 new COVID-19 cases, the highest number the state has recorded in a day. Ms Berejiklian said life would “feel much better” once vaccination rates increased, with a record 110,000 jabs administered in the last 24 hours. She said 5.5 million vaccinations had now been administered in NSW, …

More Australians are in lockdown today following one COVID-19 case travelling from Sydney into the Northern Territory. Queensland prepares to strengthen its border as cases continue to climb in New South Wales, Victoria and the ACT. Catch up on the latest coronavirus news from around the country today. NSW reports record-high cases and seven COVID deaths NSW has recorded 478 cases and seven …

Police are considering laying further charges against a Western Sydney woman believed to be the source of a COVID-19 outbreak that has plunged 600,000 people in the NSW Hunter region into lockdown. In a statement, NSW Police outlined how the 21-year-old allegedly lied to authorities and twice defied orders to return to Sydney, before spreading the virus in Newcastle over several days. Police …

Health authorities say the “front of the pandemic” has moved into Penrith, in Western Sydney, with residents in 12 suburbs hit with tougher COVID-19 restrictions. Additional restrictions were implemented in the City of Penrith local government authority (LGA) from 5:00pm today following an increase in cases. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she hoped the tougher restrictions would “stem the tide” and stop the virus …

NSW recorded 319 new locally acquired COVID-19 infections in the 24 hours to 8:00pm yesterday. It’s the first time the state has ever had more than 300 cases in a day. There have been five more COVID-19 deaths in NSW. It takes the state’s total fatalities since the start of the pandemic to 84. Armidale local government area in NSW’s Northern Tablelands will go …

Medical experts have welcomed a decision by the federal government to list a new treatment on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme which lowers cholesterol levels and can reduce a person’s risk of heart attack or stroke. Health Minister Greg Hunt said more than 20,000 Australians would have access to Praluent, a treatment for people suffering from hypercholesterolaemia, which results in abnormally …

New South Wales has recorded 210 new locally acquired COVID-19 cases, with Health Minister Brad Hazzard warning the virus is “continuing to spread”. At least 32 of those 210 people were circulating in the community for all or part of their infectious period. Greater Sydney and surrounding regions are in lockdown until at least August 28, as health authorities battle …

Health authorities have identified a shopping mall in Sydney’s south-west as “a key venue of concern” amid fears customers could have been exposed to COVID-19 there for 11 days. NSW Health said anyone who attended the Campsie Centre between July 14 and 24 was deemed a close contact and must get tested, and isolate for 14 days regardless of the …

NSW recorded 110 new locally acquired COVID-19 cases in the 24 hours to 8:00pm yesterday. A total of 43 people were infectious while in the community. Nearly 84,000 people were tested in the past 24 hours, which is the highest number of tests NSW has ever recorded in one day. Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the high number of cases was …