NSW residents have been sent an ominous warning as case numbers continue to soar in the state and areas of “most concern” are highlighted.
The state’s chief health officer, Dr Kerry Chant, fronted cameras on Sunday with a blunt message to residents, saying case numbers will rise if people don’t abide by the rules.
It comes as NSW records 415 new locally acquired cases of Covid-19 on Sunday.
Tragically, four people also died during the latest reporting period.
“These case numbers are too high. We need to see these case numbers go down and we all have a part to play,” Dr Chant said.
“I can’t stress enough the seriousness of the current situation and my grave concerns that these case numbers will continue to escalate.”
Multiple suburbs in western and southwestern Sydney are among the areas of “most concern” as NSW health authorities grapple with cases.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian revealed the suburbs of Blacktown, Mount Druitt, Marayong, Merrylands, Auburn and Guildford were showing a considerable growth in cases despite increasing rates of vaccination across other local government areas.
Cases in Dubbo and Walgett and sewage detections in Bourke have also sparked alarm.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian revealed the areas of concerns. Photo / News Corp Australia
Ms Berejiklian has urged people in those areas not to leave home “unless you absolutely have to”.
“Please know, if you are in these areas, you not only need to take extra precautions but make sure you come forward for testing,” she said.
“We can’t stress enough that we don’t want to go down the path of all these other places overseas where they have literally thousands and thousands and thousands of cases a day.

NSW recorded 415 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last nightOf these locally acquired cases 139 are linked to a known case or cluster 122 are household contacts and 17 are close contacts & the source of infection for 276 cases is under investigation pic.twitter.com/kU01v5Q9WN— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) August 15, 2021

“We are really begging people to take this seriously … to protect yourself and your loved ones and protect our freedom going forward.”
Dr Chant said coronavirus fragments were detected as sewage treatment plants at Lennox Head, Bourke, Parkes and Wallacia, which serves the areas of Warragamba, Mulgoa, Silverdale and Wallacia.

NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant. Photo / News Corp Australia
She said the public health unit was still concerned about the Maitland area.
“There were some cases investigated overnight,” Dr Chant said.
“If you are a resident in the Newcastle area, please be vigilant for those local concerns notices.”