COVID-19

COVID-19 guidance and support for people in NSW.

There are some easy things we can do that make a big difference in keeping us all COVID safe.

Making sure our families are up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations and staying home if you have symptoms all help.

Bandage is applied to woman's arm after vaccination

Steps to reduce your COVID risk

To protect yourself and your loved ones:

  1. Stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations.
  2. Stay home if you have cold or flu symptoms and get tested.
  3. Wear a mask in crowded, indoor places.
  4. Talk with your doctor now if you are at higher risk of severe illness. You may be eligible for antiviral medicines.
  5. Don't visit people who are at higher risk if you have symptoms or COVID-19.

Find out more on protecting yourself from COVID-19 if you are at higher risk of severe illness.

COVID-19 information

Face mask wearing

Staying COVID safe

By protecting yourself, you’ll help keep your family, friends and community safe too.

image of someone holding a positive rapid antigen test

Register a positive RAT result

If you test positive to COVID-19 on a rapid antigen test, register your result with Service NSW.

Mum with toddler checking thermometer

Testing and managing COVID-19

What to do if you think you may have COVID-19, including how to get tested and guidance on what to do if you test positive.

Holding hands with person unwell in hospital

People at higher risk of severe COVID-19

There are some groups of people who are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Find information on treatments, testing methods and vaccines available to protect you.

Man in blue hospital scrubs getting needle in arm

Vaccination

Staying up to date with your vaccinations and boosters is a simple step you can take to help protect yourself, your family and everyone you love.

Family at the airport

International arrivals

If you are arriving in NSW from overseas, the following advice can help protect you, your loved ones and everyone around you from COVID-19.

Protect yourself against flu and COVID-19

Staying up to date with your vaccinations is a simple step you can take to help protect yourself and everyone you love. It’s safe and convenient to get your COVID-19 and flu vaccines at the same time. Visit your local GP, pharmacy, or Aboriginal Medical Service to get vaccinated now.

Eligibility for COVID-19 antivirals

COVID-19 antiviral medicines help reduce the severity of illness for people at higher risk of getting really sick. They work best when taken as soon as possible, usually within 5 days of symptoms starting. Find out if you're eligible and make a plan with your doctor today.

Understand antivirals

Get an additional booster

A 2023 booster is available for adults who have not had a COVID-19 infection or a previous dose within the past 6 months, and are aged 65 and over, or 18 and over and at higher risk of severe illness

Find out if you are recommended to have a 2023 COVID-19 booster

Find a COVID-19 testing clinic

If you have symptoms, self-isolate and check the testing advice. If you are at higher risk of severe illness, take a PCR test (nose and throat swab) rather than a rapid antigen test.

Who should get tested 
Find a clinic near you

Free rapid antigen tests now available

Concession, Pensioner, Health Care, and Veterans cardholders, people with disability, their carers, and immunocompromised people are eligible for free RAT tests.

Find out more about free rapid antigen tests


New COVID-19 cases and tests in the past 7 days

Weekly COVID-19 reporting

Routine COVID-19 reports occur weekly. NSW Health also provides detailed reporting and analysis of the latest COVID-19 data in its weekly respiratory surveillance reports

New cases*
8,905
Positive results from PCR tests
4,304
Positive results from rapid antigen tests (RATs)**
4,601
Deaths reported ***
22

Data for the past 7 days until 4pm, 16 March 2023, last updated 17 March 2023.

*Combined total of PCR positive test results and rapid antigen test (RAT) positive result registrations.

**Rapid antigen tests (RATs) are reported by individuals using the Service NSW website or app.

***As per the national surveillance definition, deaths are reported as COVID-19 deaths if a person died with COVID-19, not necessarily because COVID-19 was the cause of death. Deaths are only excluded if there is a clear alternative cause of death that is unrelated to COVID-19 (e.g. trauma).

COVID-19-related deaths are notified to NSW Health from a range of sources and not all deaths reported by NSW Health occurred in the week in which they are reported, as there is sometimes a delay between a death occurring and it being notified to NSW Health.

COVID-19 hospitalisations

Admitted to hospital
834
In intensive care
13

Hospitalisations as of 4pm, 16 March 2023, last updated 17 March 2023.

Contacts and enquiries

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