NSW records 29 new Covid-related deaths and 17,316 cases

NSW has recorded 29 new deaths associated with Covid-19 and 2722 people are in hospital with the disease.

Out of the people in hospital, 181 are treated in intensive care units.

There were 17,316 new cases of the disease in the 24 hours to 8pm Wednesday, a slight decrease compared with the day before.

There were 21,030 new cases detected on Australia Day, and 2794 Covid-positive people in hospital that day.

While the first and second-jab rates have remained steady in the mid-nineties, the number of people over 18 who have received a booster shot increased from 35.1 per cent to 36.2 per cent.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said anyone who was eligible should arrange to get a third vaccination shot.

“We have substantial capacity for booster shots,” he told reporters.

Chief health officer Kerry Chant said getting boosted would not only protect against serious illness in those who contract Covid-19, but also help stop the spread of the virus.

“If you get boosted, it reduces your chance of actually getting infected ... and it protects all those loved ones that you might come into contact with,” she said.