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Health

Australia's coronavirus death toll rises, new fatalities in NSW

NSW Health has confirmed two new coronavirus deaths, taking Australia's total number of fatalities to 74.

The state's chief medical officer Kerry Chant said a 75-year-old man died in St George Hospital, and a 80-year-old woman died in Gosford Hospital yesterday.

Thirty-three people have died from coronavirus in NSW.

NSW Health also announced five new COVID-19 infections, taking the state's total number of cases to 2,974.

It was the lowest number of new infections in a day since four were recorded in the 24 hours to 8:00pm on March 10.

A total of three people died from the virus in NSW yesterday.

As well as the fatalities at the two hospitals, a 92-year-old resident at the Newmarch House nursing home in Western Sydney died.

She was the third death at the facility where there has been a cluster of COVID-19 cases after an employee worked six shifts despite having mild symptoms of the virus.

When asked about mandatory testing among all residents and staff in aged-care homes, Dr Chant said "no system is perfect".

"It does concern me the devastating impact of COVID-19 when it gets into these facilities," she said.

"But it's going to be impossible to preclude the introduction of it completely."

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the state's main Anzac Day service on Saturday would be live-streamed from Hyde Park.

Members of the public will not be able to attend, due to social-distancing restrictions.

"We know this will be a very different Anzac Day," she said.

"But I think more than ever all of us will come to contemplate and appreciate what our Anzacs did in 1915 and what Anzac Day represents."

Acting President of RSL NSW Ray James said with traditional marches and two-up off the cards, people should find their own ways to pay their respects.

"It's somewhat difficult, especially in the older age group, not being able to leave our home," he said.

"So I encourage all people who know a veteran, who can't be socialising as normal, to give them a phone call and make sure they're OK."

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