NSW has recorded 210 new locally-acquired COVID-19 cases as an outbreak in south-east Queensland threatens to wreak havoc with weekend NRL, AFL and Super Netball clashes.
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NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said there were 21 COVID cases infectious in the community in NSW to 8pm on Friday and two cases acquired overseas.
There were more than 105,000 tests on Friday.
He said the "majority" of the cases were in south-west and western Sydney, urging residents in the region to stay at home.
Mr Hazzard said the continuing numbers were impacting on the hospital system, with 198 people in hospital, 53 in intensive care and 27 requiring ventilation.
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Two-thirds of the new cases reported were young people and Mr Hazzard said older age brackets were making up less cases.
Of those in intensive care, there are six people aged in their 20s, four aged in their 30s and one person in their 40s.
News of the NSW figures came as media started reporting that NRL, AFL and Super Netball matches scheduled to be played in Queensland this weekend could be postponed or cancelled as the state goes into its own COVID lockdown.
Channel Nine reports that Queensland Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young confirmed that all professional sports would be postponed until at least 4pm on Tuesday.
NRL officials are reportedly in negotiations with the Queensland Government seeking an exemption for their matches to go ahead in regional centres.
The NRL has moved all its sides to Queensland to escape the worsening COVID situation in Sydney while the AFL and Super Netball both had matches scheduled in Queensland this weekend.
Police have issued a prohibition notice to seven taxi and rideshare services banning them from taking passengers to the CBD over the six-hour period.
Companies who fail to comply with the notice risk a maximum penalty of $500,000, and individuals could be fined up to $100,000, NSW Police say.
The large zone stretches from the Bradfield Highway at Milsons Point north of the Harbour Bridge, to the City West Link at Lilyfield, to South Dowling St near Todman Ave at Zetland, and east to New South Head Rd near Ocean Ave at Edgecliff.
- With AAP
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