More than 1500 cases, nine deaths recorded in NSW

Asked why she is stopping the 11am daily press conference ahead of case numbers and hospitalisations peaking, Ms Berejiklian said COVID would be around for three or four years.

"Can I just say very clearly and loudly to the people of NSW we will be here whenever we need to communicate something very importantly to the community and I will make sure we are," she said.

"But what we need to do is, all of us have to start accepting that we need to live with COVID because COVID will be around for three or four years and it's not practical to do everything the same."

Ms Berejiklian said the state would not know when the peak has hit, only what the modelling says.

She said unless there is something new to say apart from the daily numbers, ministers won't need to speak.

"At the very least we need to make sure that all of us accept what the future holds and all of us accept what living with COVID lives and looks like," she said.

Ms Berejiklian said the community could judge based on her record.

"To expect the leader of the government indefinitely to do this every day means that I'm not doing my job properly we need to make sure we have a good balance," she said.

PREVIOUSLY:

NSW recorded 1542 new cases of COVID and nine deaths in the 24 hours to 8pm on Thursday.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said case numbers are expected to peak next week and so far the trajectory is what was predicted.

From next week Ms Berejiklian will no longer be holding 11am press conferences, instead NSW Health will provide a daily update.

Minsters will present at press conferences on a 'needs basis'.

There are currently 1,156 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 207 people in intensive care, 89 of whom require ventilatio

A man in his 60s from western Sydney died at home. A man in his 70s from south-eastern Sydney died at Prince of Wales Hospital.

A woman in her 40s from south-western Sydney died at Liverpool Hospital.

A man in his 70s from Sydney's southern suburbs died at home.

A woman in her 50s from the Central Coast died at Gosford Hospital.

A man in his 60s from western Sydney died at Royal North Shore Hospital.

A woman in her 80s from western Sydney died at Ryde Hospital.

A man in his 30s from Nepean Blue Mountains died at Nepean Hospital.

A man in his 50s from south-western Sydney died in Liverpool Hospital

Currently 76.4 per cent of the NSW population had had one dose of the vaccine and 43.6 per cent are fully vaccinated.

Yesterday, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced the lockdown in the Riverina would end at 11.59pm tonight.

IN OTHER NEWS:

Albury, Greater Hume, Edward River, Berrigan, Murray River Lockhart and Federation shires are all set to be released from lockdown.

In freed LGAs up to five visitors will be allowed at homes, not including children under 12, and up to 20 people can gather outdoors.

Hospitality venues can reopen subject to one person per four square metres inside and one person per two square metres outside. Standing while drinking is permitted.

Retail stores can reopen under the one person per four square metre rule.

Personal service such as hairdressers and nail salons can open under the one person per four square metre rule, but with a five person cap.

Gyms and indoor recreation can open under the under the one person per four square metre rule and offer classes to 20 people.

Sporting facilities and pools can reopen.

Schools will reopen under level three COVID Safe measures

Stadiums and racecourses can reopen with a 5000 person cap.

Cinemas, theatres, museums and galleries can reopen with under the one person per four square metre rule or 75 per cent seated capacity.

50 guests are allowed at weddings, with dancing permitted.

Up to 50 guests can attend funerals

Places of worship can reopen under the one person per four square metre rule.

Masks remain mandatory indoors and on public transport.

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