NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has confirmed 177 new Covid cases were recorded overnight.

It comes as 172 new infections were announced yesterday, making it the worst day since the current outbreak began.

Ms Berejiklian has finally confirmed that Greater Sydney will remain under lockdown for an extra month.

At the moment, the lockdown is set to lift on August 28.

Three extra LGAs – Parramatta, Campbelltown and Georges River – have been added to NSW's red zone list.

It means people in those areas will no longer be permitted to leave for work, unless they have an exemption.

Year 12 students will return to school on August 16. Year 12 students in Covid-19 hot spots will be given vaccine priority.

At least 46 out of today's 177 new cases were in the community for at least part of their infectious periods.

That's a number authorities will be looking at very carefully when weighing up when to reopen.

Sadly, NSW's Covid death toll has risen yet again.

The latest victim was a woman in her 90s.

She died on Tuesday in Liverpool Hospital.

It brings the death toll linked to the latest outbreak to 11.

NSW yesterday reported 172 community Covid cases - a new record for the current Sydney outbreak.

Of those cases, 60 were infectious while in the community.

It was widely reported this morning that NSW's crisis cabinet reached the decision to extend the lockdown last night.

Nine News' Chris O'Keefe tweeted before the announcement that Georges River and Parramatta would join the growing list of Sydney local government areas where residents are unable to leave – even for work – without a valid exemption.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian. (Photo / Getty Images)

Infectious diseases expert Peter Collignon told the Today programme this morning that restrictions would remain in place in NSW "for at least a couple of months" – and maybe even longer.

Professor Collignon also said the state needed to get cases down to around 20 per day or less with most of those in isolation for most of their infectious period before freedom could be achieved.

 

 

Ship off Qld coast with 19 infected crew

Queensland today recorded one new locally acquired Covid-19 case and 19 cases aboard a cargo ship off the state's coast.

The bulk carrier entered the Torres Strait from the Philippines on Monday and alerted authorities to a majority of crew on board being sick, Queensland's chief health officer Jeannette Young said.

Queensland Health provided nurses to test those on the ship, with 19 of the 21 crew members returning positive tests on Tuesday night.

The ship is currently heading towards Weipa in the state's far north where six of the crew members will be transported to Brisbane for treatment.

The remaining staff will stay on the boat for maintenance purposes.

More good news for Victoria

Victorians have woken up to freedom this morning after the state's fifth lockdown lifted at midnight.

And in further good news, only eight new infections were confirmed overnight, with all in isolation during their infectious periods.