COVID-19 update: Another large increase in case numbers as NSW Premier pleads to get vaccinated

This is your update on the Coronavirus in Australia for 18 August 2021.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian wears a face mask during a press conference to provide a COVID-19 update, in Sydney, Wednesday, August 18, 2021.

NSW PremierBerejiklian during a press conference August 18. NSW recorded 633 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 (AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi) Source: AAP Image/Bianca De March

West and south western Sydney are the suburbs of highest concern
Victoria has more than 500 venues on the list of exposure sites.
Over 20 new locally acquired cases in the ACT
Queensland and NT record zero new locally acquired cases

New South Wales

NSW has recorded 633 new locally acquired cases and three deaths. At least 62 cases were in the community while infectious.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian says the following suburbs of concern have seen "an escalation of cases": Merrylands, Guilford, Auburn, Greenacre and St Marys.

Those aged 16 to 39 living in the

12 local government areas of concern

will be given priority access to the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine from tomorrow, Thursday 19 August.

Book today your

vaccination appointment

Victoria

Victoria has recorded 24 new locally acquired cases, out of which four are not linked to known outbreaks. Six cases were in the community while infectious.

COVID-19 commander Jeroen Weimar says there are currently around 15,000 primary close contacts in the state and more than 520

exposure sites

Find here the

list of vaccination centres

Last 24 hours around Australia

The ACT records 22 new locally acquired cases bringing the total number of active cases in Canberra to 67.
Restrictions will be lifted
in south east Queensland, Cairns and Yarrabah local government areas from 4 pm on Friday 20 August.
Lockdown in Greater Darwin and Katherine is scheduled to end at midday tomorrow.

Source: ALC

Quarantine, travel, testing clinics and pandemic disaster payment

Quarantine and testing requirements are managed and enforced by state and territory governments:

NSW

and

VIC

and

ACT

and

and

QLD

and

and

TAS

and

and

If you want to travel overseas, you may be able to apply online for an exemption.

Click here

for more information about the conditions to leave Australia. There are temporary measures for international flights that are regularly reviewed by the government and updated on the

Smart Traveller

website.