NSW recorded 1,164 locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night from 130,027 tests. Sadly, three deaths were recorded in that same time period. Our thoughts are with their loved ones. NSW Health has reported that 47,429 vaccines were administered in the same time period. More information on today’s statistics here.

NSW Health reports that 43 cases of COVID-19 were reported at Parklea Correctional Centre to 8pm last night, bringing the total number of cases since 18 August to 75, including one healthcare worker. There has also been one new case linked to the Bathurst Correctional Centre to 8pm last night, bringing the total number of cases there to seven – all are staff members. In response to these outbreaks, NSW Health is working with Corrective Services NSW in testing patients and staff, identifying and isolating contacts and providing immunisation to staff and inmates.

Corrective Services NSW (CSNSW) advises that yesterday’s state-wide lockdown involving all correctional centres was taken as a precaution after evidence of a COVID-19 transmission of COVID in the general prison population at Parklea Correctional Centre  The state-wide lockdown was to identify and undertake testing on any prisoner  who had transferred from Parklea to other centres during the period of risk.  Contact tracing to identify any person who may have been in close contact with a prisoner transferred from Parklea was also undertaken and testing has been initiated for these individuals  that included any cell-mates.  All non-medical movements were cancelled. The majority of the testing has been completed with no positive results and Centres are being re-opened as soon as they are cleared. As of today, the following centres have returned to normal operations but with limited essential movements:

• The Compulsory Drug Treatment Correctional Centre (CDTCC)
• Clarence
• Emu Plains
• Glen Innes
• The High Risk Management Correctional Centre (HRMCC)
• Hunter
• Macquarie
• Mannus
• Mary Wade
• The Special Purpose Centre (SPC) at Long Bay
• Tamworth 

CSNSW advises it has reinforced its obligations to ensure inmates appear in court and AVL via a broadcast today. CSNSW is adapting to meet the challenge of COVID-19 and working on clearer guidelines for staff in relation to facilitating court, AVL and legal visits for inmates in isolation and will provide further updates as required.

Burwood Courthouse is closed for cleaning today due to a COVID-19 exposure. If you were due to attend Burwood Court, please do not attend and contact the NSW Court Service Centre at nswcsc@justice.nsw.gov.au.