Tamworth COVID-19 update: No new cases for Tamworth, Armidale but 'disturbing day' for state

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian confirmed there were 478 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.

Of these, 35 cases were recorded in Western NSW, and Ms Berejiklian said she remains concerned about the spread of the virus in Dubbo, Walgett, Brewarrina, Bourke, particularly around Indigenous vaccination rates in those communities.

"Our community transmission numbers are disturbingly high," she said.

"We can't stress enough how hard all of us have to work to reduce these numbers, to reduce the growth of the spread and to make sure we're all staying home unless we absolutely have to do otherwise.

"We know the vaccines are working and it's important for all of us to protect our loved ones by getting vaccinated, but please know that when you do get vaccinated it takes two to three weeks for that first dose to take effect, so don't assume you're protected as soon as you get the jab."

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NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant said too many people are currently infectious in the community.

"Leave your home for the most minimum of time, and every time you are out assume you have the infection or that you will come into contact with someone else who has the infection," she said.

"I just want to remind people that even if you are immunised, fully immunised, you still have to follow all the rules."

Of the 478 locally acquired cases, 141 are linked to a known case or cluster - 120 are household contacts and 21 are close contacts - and the source of infection for 337 cases is under investigation.

Ninety-seven cases were in isolation throughout their infectious period and 30 were in isolation for part of their infectious period.

Sixty-one cases were infectious in the community, and the isolation status of 290 remains under investigation.

NSW Health was also notified of the deaths of seven people who had COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night, including three men in their 80s, a man in his 40s, a woman in her 70s, a woman in her 80s and a man in his 70s.

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