72 new cases of COVID-19 in Murrumbidgee Local Health District

The local figure is just one less than the day prior, with 73 MLHD cases reported on Wednesday.

On Thursday across New South Wales 12,226 new infections were recorded from 97,201 tests.

A single death was reported, and there are currently 746 people in hospital with the virus, including 63 in intensive care and 24 requiring ventilation.

NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant previously warned that "there is probably more disease in the community than the numbers reflect" as testing backlogs continue to be processed.

The state's daily cases almost doubled on Wednesday as more than 11,000 new cases were recorded, with the Omicron outbreak continuing to grow in other states as well.

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A snap national cabinet meeting will be held today to develop a single, country-wide definition for a close contact of COVID, as Australia surpasses 18,000 daily cases and people are met with testing queues and delays across the nation.

"We can't have everybody just being taken out of circulation because they just happen to be at a particular place at a particular time," Prime Minister Scott Morrison said yesterday.

"The uncertainty of that, the impacts on the economy, and particularly given the fact we are not seeing this impact on our hospital system means that it's an impractical way to live with the virus in this next phase."

Rapid antigen tests are also expected to be on the agenda, with Premier Dominic Perrottet urging people not to come forward for a PCR test unless absolutely necessary to help ease pressure on the system.

Pharmacies across Wagga are sold out of the rapid tests and are struggling to secure stock amid such unprecedented demand.

Yesterday NSW ordered an additional 30 million rapid antigen tests on top of the already-purchased 20 million that are set to arrive by the end of January.

NSW Health is advising people to only queue for a PCR test if they have symptoms, live in a household with a confirmed case or if they have been directed to get tested by NSW Health.

Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, sore throat, cough, headache, runny nose, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle aches or pains, and a change in taste or smell.

For testing locations across the district go to www.mlhd.health.nsw.gov.au, or for help accessing a test call the Murrumbidgee COVID-19 Hotline 1800 831 099.