NSW has recorded 199 new locally-acquired COVID-19 infections, as the premier pushes for six million vaccine jabs to be administered by the end of August.
Of the new local cases reported on Tuesday, 88 have been linked to a known case or cluster, while the source of infection for 111 NSW cases still under investigation.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the virus was still concentrating in the eight local government areas of concern - Blacktown, Campbelltown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Georges River, Liverpool and Parramatta.
"Don't go into those eight local government areas unless absolutely necessary," Ms Berejiklian told reporters.
"You might live in an adjoining suburb and go shopping in those communities - consider going elsewhere to make sure that the virus doesn't spread into other communities."
As case numbers remain high, Ms Berejiklian said she wasn't sure whether the state was "through the worst of it or not".
"There's clearly been a plateauing the last week but we don't know if we'll see them worsen before they get better," she said.
Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said that while they had focused significantly on the affected local government areas, it was important that people weren't complacent elsewhere.
Vaccination push
Almost four million vaccine jabs have been recorded so far, and the premier wants that figure to reach six million by the end of August.
"Six million jabs is roughly half the population with at least one or two doses," Ms Berejiklian said.
She said the government had considered vaccination incentives, but "we're focusing on what we believe people want at this stage".
"They want peace of mind that they can move more freely, send their kids to school, work.
"We know if we encourage people to get vaccinated to provide them with additional freedoms, that is the best motivator of all."
Year 12 students in the eight local government areas of concern will begin receiving vaccinations from 9 August, as the government works to ensure Year 12 students can attain their HSC.
Dr Chant said vaccinating Year 12 students would also help combat virus spread in workplaces, "because they're transitional and often have part-time jobs in supermarkets or food premises".
NSW records 199 new local COVID-19 cases as premier aims for six million vaccines by September - SBS News
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