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NSW Premier's prediction as 18 new Covid cases revealed

NSW has recorded a further 18 locally acquired Covid-19 cases.

It follows 30 cases announced on Sunday and takes the number of community cases since an unvaccinated limousine driver ferrying international air crew tested positive on June 16 to 130.

Seventeen of the 18 new cases are linked to previous cases, however Premier Gladys Berejiklian warned some had spent time in the community while infectious.

Two of the linked cases are linked to a previous mystery case with investigations ongoing to determine the source of infection.

Five new cases are linked to the Great Ocean Foods wholesaler in Marrickville. There are now 16 cases linked to the location, which has been identified by health authorities as a site of concern.

NSW's surge in Covid-19 cases continued on Monday. Source: Getty
NSW's surge in Covid-19 cases continued on Monday. Source: Getty

Ms Berejiklian said despite a drop in the number of daily cases, the state should brace itself for daily figures to go up "considerably" in the coming days.

"We have to be prepared for the numbers to bounce around," she told reporters on Monday.

Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant warned she did not expect daily case numbers to drop off for at least five days.

She warned with the growing number of people identified as close contacts, it was vital they adhered to instruction to self-isolate.

"If you are a close contacts you are required to isolate... in effect you are in a cocoon," she said.

"It is critical that you do so."

Dr Chant said there are now "thousands and thousands" of close contacts forced into two weeks of isolation.

Close to 59,000 people came forward for Covid-19 testing in the previous 24-hour reporting period.

Monday marks the second full day of a two-week hard lockdown for the Greater Sydney, Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour regions.

Pedestrians in Newtown appear dejected over the weekend as a lockdown was implemented for Sydney and surrounding areas. Source: Getty
Pedestrians in Newtown appear dejected over the weekend as a lockdown was implemented for Sydney and surrounding areas. Source: Getty

Overnight, NSW Health issued alerts for more than a dozen new venues of concern including the T2 domestic terminal and a food court at Mascot, a burger joint at Sydney Olympic Park, a ramen restaurant at Darlinghurst, the Guylian Belgian Chocolate Café at Darling Harbour and Bentley Restaurant and Bar in the CBD.

There's now close to 300 locations and transport routes identified as exposure sites.

Importance of vaccines highlighted by super-spreader party

Ms Berejiklian and Dr Chant once again urged people to come forward to get vaccinated.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard noted six attendees of the West Hoxton birthday party which has led to 31 cases, were fully vaccinated.

None of the six have acquired the virus.

"The early and strong indications from that party are if you're vaccinated, you are much more likely to not be infected with COVID-19," he said.

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