Sydneysiders party on beach as NSW records 1262 new COVID cases

NSW has recorded 1262 locally acquired COVID cases over the past 24 hours:

NSW recorded 1,262 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.

No new cases were acquired overseas in the 24 hours to 8pm last night, and 15 previously reported cases have been excluded following further investigation. pic.twitter.com/6I0aiHrugj

— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) September 12, 2021

Seven more people have died:

• A man in his 20s
• A woman in her 40s
• Two people in their 50s
• A man in his 70s
• Two people in their 80s

There have been 177 COVID-19 related deaths in NSW since 16 June 2021.

There are currently 1,206 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 220 people in intensive care, 92 of whom require ventilation. These figures do not include hospital in the home patients.

The next chart plots the daily cases:

However, active cases have roughly halved to 14,510 after the government seemingly changed the definition:

Finally NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard has dismissed concerns that Sydneysiders are shunning restrictions to go to the beach:

“Fresh air we know is the safest place to be at the present time…

“But we do state, maintain your social distance and be careful.

“While we have many more to get vaccinated, we do have risks.”

“I know the media will have photographs today of people out and about, they tend to do that,” Mr Hazzard said.

“Generally that is a safe place to be.”

Personally, I believe that low-risk activities outdoors should be permitted. People need to maintain their health and well being.