No deaths and just 855 new COVID-19 cases are the first positive signs that things might be moving in the right direction for Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD).

It’s a far cry from the previous 24-hour period, which resulted in three fatalities and 936 infections.

Of the total of 855 overnight, 524 were (rapid antigen tests) RATs and 331 PCRs.

There are currently 49 COVID-19 cases receiving care in hospitals across the HNELHD, with one person in ICU.

Overall, there were 7,437 positive test results (cases) throughout the state notified in the 24 hours as of 4pm on Sunday 6 February, including 3,917 RATs and 3,520 PCRs.

Sadly, NSW Health reported the deaths of 14 people with COVID-19 – nine men and five women.

One was in their 40s, one was in their 50s, two were in their 60s, five were in their 70s, three were in their 80s and two were in their 90s.

Older age is a significant risk factor for serious illness and death for COVID-19, particularly when combined with significant underlying health conditions.

Two people who died were aged under 65.

These men were not vaccinated but suffered significant underlying health conditions.

Four people were from western Sydney, three were from south-western Sydney, two were from Sydney’s Inner West, two were from the Shellharbour region, one was from Sydney’s north, one was from the Wollongong area and one was from the Central Coast.

This brings the total number of COVID-19-related deaths in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic to 1,580.

Meanwhile, NSW Health is encouraging everyone who is eligible to receive a vaccination or their booster dose to book into a clinic or another provider without delay.

“The Omicron variant has more mutations than the Delta or previous variants of COVID-19, which makes it better at getting past your immune system – infecting you and spreading infection to others,” a spokesperson said.

“It can also still cause serious illness and death.

“Data shows that two doses of a vaccine remained about 80% effective against hospitalisation up to six months after vaccination for the Delta variant.

“But, for the Omicron variant, two-dose protection against hospitalisation drops to around 30% after six months.

“A third dose boosts your protection against hospitalisation from the Omicron variant back up to about 90%, helping to keep you safe from serious illness.

“A third dose will also give you much better protection against infection in the first place.”

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