Shoalhaven records one new COVID case as state hits daily record of 1,742 infections

It's the highest number of cases recorded in the state in a day, with the previous record of 1,603 on September 11.

The Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District recorded 23 new COVID cases in the 24 hours to 8pm Wednesday night, with the majority in Wollongong.

Twenty new cases were detected in Wollongong and two in Shellharbour.

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The ISLHD reminded the community that "it remains vital that anyone who has any symptoms or is a close or casual contact of a person with COVID-19, isolates and is tested immediately".

For a full list of local testing clinic locations and opening hours, visit the district's website.

The numbers come a day after most remaining COVID restrictions were lifted and unvaccinated people were given new freedoms for the first time since June.

Health authorities predict the state's overall numbers is the beginning of a major surge in cases over the next month.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said on Wednesday that COVID-19 cases would continue to rise, with modelling showing they could hit 25,000 a day by the end of January.

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However, Premier Dominic Perrottet is urging people to shift the focus from infections to the number of people in hospital.

While hospitalisations have shown to lag behind case number surges, Mr Perrottet has "complete confidence" the hospital system will cope.

Hospital rates remain steady with 192 people in hospital and 26 in intensive care.

Testing rates have also increased 143,938 tests taken in the 24 hour period.

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