NSW records 30,062 COVID cases and 16 deaths, isolation exemptions for critical workers introduced

 NSW has recorded its highest number of COVID deaths in a single day since the pandemic began.

In the 24 hours to 8pm on Saturday, 16 people died from COVID and 30,062 official cases were recorded.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said it was a "very difficult" day for the state which has now recorded 727 deaths since the first COVID case was reported in NSW.

NSW Health said those who died were in their 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s but did not disclose who was or was not vaccinated.

Seven people were from south-west Sydney, two people were from south-eastern Sydney, two people were from Western Sydney, two people were from Sydney’s inner west, one person was from the Central Coast, one person was from the south coast and one person was from northern Sydney.

Read More: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-01-09/nsw-records-30062-covid-cases-16-deaths/100746206