The critical nature of current COVID-19 hospitalisation in New South Wales has been described by the Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant as "wake up call for young people".
The lockdown in Greater Sydney has been extended for another week as COVID-19 cases surge in Sydney with another 27 new locally acquired cases in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.
There are now 37 people admitted to hospital, seven of which are in ICU and there are two being ventilated.
The state's Chief Health Officer says the current outbreak needs to be taken more seriously as she says COVID-19, including the Delta strain, is not routinely a mild disease.
"It can be mild in some, but for many it can lead to hospitalisation and death," Dr Chant said on Wednesday.
"Of that total 37, 14 are under the age of 55, which should dispel the myth that this is something that only impacts on the elderly. Of those, eight are under the age of 35. Again, dispelling that myth that it only leads to hospitalisation for the elderly.
"Of the seven people in ICU, one is in their 30s - a bit of a wake-up call to young people - one in their 50s, two in their 60s and three in their 70s."
Of the 27 locally acquired cases, NSW Health says 18 are linked to a known case or cluster - seven are household contacts and 11 are close contacts.
The source of infection for nine cases remains under investigation.
