Covid infections rise in Sydney as JN.1 variant drives cases across Australia

Case numbers were higher in the fortnight ending 6 January than during the 2023 winter peak, NSW Health data shows

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Covid-19 infections in the greater Sydney area are approaching levels not seen since December 2022 as the JN.1 variant continues to drive cases throughout Australia, but hospital presentations and admissions have reduced since late 2023.

The latest New South Wales Covid surveillance data published on Thursday shows that in the fortnight ending 6 January, community transmission of the virus was at a higher level than during the 2023 winter peak. The highest number of notifications in NSW came from western Sydney, with 1,441 cases detected in the fortnight, followed by south-western Sydney at 1,003 cases.

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