NSW Health has urged residents to postpone social events until after Christmas as the state recorded 2,213 cases on Friday - its highest daily total since the start of the pandemic.
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Director of Health Protection Dr Jeremy McAnulty said there have now been a total of 185 Omicron variant cases recorded in the state, which is a jump of 63 cases from Thursday.
Dr McAnulty said Newcastle residents should postpone social events until after Christmas amid a "record number of cases with the Omicron variant" in the area.
"We urge people in the local Newcastle community to seriously consider deferring social events until after Christmas in order to keep family and Christmas gatherings safe and help protect your loved ones, the vulnerable and our essential workers," he said.
The Director of Health Protection said the "rapid rise in cases" are due "transmission occurring at social gatherings and venues such as pubs and clubs".
Dr McAnulty also urged people to get their booster shot as soon as they are eligible.
"The emergence of the Omicron variant clearly shows the importance of the booster shots in maintaining high levels of immunity and protection against the COVID virus," he said.
Everyone aged 18 years and older may now receive a booster five months after receiving their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
The state's one death was a woman in her 60s from the Northern Tablelands, who died at St Vincent's Hospital. She was not vaccinated and had underlying health conditions.
There are currently 215 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 24 people in intensive care, eight of whom require ventilation.
There were 127,583 COVID-19 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with the previous day's total of 143,938.
Across NSW, 94.8 per cent of people aged 16 and over have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 93.3 per cent are fully vaccinated.
Of the people aged 12 to 15, 81.4 per cent have received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 77.9 per cent are fully vaccinated.
The total number of vaccines administered in NSW is now 13,161,645 with 4,234,588 doses administered by NSW Health to 8pm last night and 8,927,057 doses administered by the GP network, pharmacies and other providers to 11.59pm on Wednesday 15 December 2021.
NSW Health has issued a number public health alerts for venues in Sydney and Newcastle.
Those who attended the "On Repeat: Taylor Swift Red Party" at Sydney's Metro Theatre from 9pm onwards on Friday, December 10 is a close contact and must get tested and isolate for 7 days.
Anyone who attended the following Newcastle venues is advised to monitor for symptoms and get tested if any symptoms are present:
The Great Northern Hotel, Newcastle
Saturday December 11, 12.01am until close.
Finnegans Hotel, Newcastle
Saturday December 11, 7pm until close.
The Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
Saturday December 11, 7pm until close and Sunday December 12, 6pm until close.