The Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District has recorded more than 800 new COVID-19 infections for a second day running.
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These include 509 new cases from the Wollongong local government area, 133 from Shellharbour, 47 from Kiama, and 120 from Shoalhaven.
In the 24 hours to 8pm Friday, 22,577 new COVID cases were confirmed in NSW, another record for the state.
Another four people have died, three women and a man, aged from their 60s to their 80s.
One person was unvaccinated, one had received one dose, and two were fully vaccinated.
Hospitals are treating 901 people with COVID, with 79 receiving intensive care.
Of these, 26 are on ventilators.
There are 16 people in Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD hospitals as a result of COVID.
NSW Health has announced that healthcare workers who are close contacts of COVID cases but do not have any symptoms will be allowed to leave isolation and work, in exceptional circumstances.
"With increasing case numbers and large numbers of close contacts in self-isolation, NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard today signed an exemption to the Public Health Order to minimise potential impacts on health services across the state," the department said on Friday night.
Workers granted this exemption must travel straight to and from home to their workplace, and must wear a mask at all times while at work.
If they develop any COVID symptoms they must get a PCR test and cannot work until they return a negative result.
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Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
