Of the new cases, 51 were in the community while infectious.

"Can I stress again that it is really important for people not to leave home unless they have to, and in particular, do not have any contact with people outside your household," NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said.

"If you do need to work and you are recognised as an authorised worker you adhere to all of the COVID safety measures.

"Please come forward and get vaccinated.

"We will be making about decisions about what life looks like beyond July 31."

There were 98,000 tests in the 24 hours to 8pm on Sunday in NSW.

The lockdown for Greater Sydney and four surrounding regions, now in its fifth week, was due to end on Friday. But with the highly infectious Delta strain spiralling, there's no reprieve in sight.

It comes following a weekend of "freedom rallies" in Sydney and across the country.

NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said "sadly" we were still seeing cases in the community while infectious.

Of the new cases, 51 were in the community for their infectious period, and 25 were in the community for "part" of their infectious period.

"The future is driven by our vaccination coverage. They have two fold protection. They protect you but they also have an impact on protecting others," Dr Chant said.

"Please come forward and get vaccinated."

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