Blayney and Cabonne Local Government Areas are among 12 across NSW to have stay-at-home orders lifted from 1pm on Thursday.
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Orange recorded no new cases, while the Western NSW Local Health District picked up another 27, taking the region's total past the 1000 mark.
Among the 27 new cases, 12 of them are in Dubbo, six in Bathurst, six in Walgett, two in Bourke and just the one in Wellington.
But the there were several LGAs across the west to receive good news, with Blayney and Cabonne joined by the communities of Parkes and Forbes to enjoy freedoms again from Thursday night.
At the same time, the LGAs of Lismore and Albury will go back into lockdown at 6pm on Thursday after positive COVID cases emerged in those regions.
Deputy premier John Barilaro said that lockdown will be just seven days this time around, but it should serve as a reminder to those about to taste freedoms for the first time in about a month that things can change quickly if the rules aren't being followed.
"The message is simple: remain vigilant, get tested and please minimise mobility. This is good news for parts of regional NSW. But it's a reminder that it's still a restricted environment," he said.
Across NSW, a dozen people have died to 8pm on Wednesday night and case numbers rose by 1351 in Thursday's statewide update, putting an end to days of stabilised new cases.
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said 10 of the 12 people who died were not vaccinated.
They include:
- A man in his 90s from western Sydney died at Westmead Hospital. He acquired his infection at the Hardi Guildford Aged Care Facility. This is the second death linked to the outbreak at this facility.
- A man in his 60s from western Sydney died at Northern Beaches Hospital.
- A man in his 60s from south-western Sydney died at Northern Beaches Hospital.
- A woman in her 80s from western Sydney died at Westmead Hospital.
- A woman in her 80s from south-western Sydney died at Concord Hospital.
- A woman in her 60s from south-eastern Sydney died at Prince of Wales Hospital.
- A man in his 40s from western Sydney died at Nepean Hospital.
- A woman in her 80s from western Sydney died at Westmead Hospital.
- A woman in her 70s from western Sydney died at Nepean Hospital.
- A man in his 70s from south-western Sydney died at Campbelltown Hospital.
- A woman in her 60s from south-western Sydney died at home.
- A man in his 50s from western Sydney died at Westmead Hospital.
80.1 per cent of the NSW population over 16 has received a first dose, and 48.5 of that population are fully vaccinated.
"I just want to thank the community for coming out in such big numbers because there are now almost 8 million people in NSW who have had their vaccine administered to them," Mr Hazzard said.
Hunter cases spiked to 27 daily cases in the 24 hours to 8pm on Tuesday, with a number of supermarkets subsequently named COVID exposure sites.
Matt Carr
Matt began his Newcastle Herald career as a cadet in 2009. He is a Walkley nominated reporter who has covered councils, police and general news rounds across the Upper Hunter, Port Stephens, Maitland, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock and Newcastle. Now his focus is on digital storytelling and breaking news.
Matt began his Newcastle Herald career as a cadet in 2009. He is a Walkley nominated reporter who has covered councils, police and general news rounds across the Upper Hunter, Port Stephens, Maitland, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock and Newcastle. Now his focus is on digital storytelling and breaking news.
Nick McGrath
Editor, Central Western Daily
Editor, Central Western Daily
