Paramedics in NSW are being stretched as the state continues to accumulate COVID-19 infections by the hundreds each day, with demand equivalent to the "busiest New Year's Eve".
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
There were 1035 new local infections and two more deaths reported on Saturday, taking the state's death toll from the current outbreak to 83.
The two people who died were a western Sydney woman in her 80s in Westmead Hospital and one in her 70s from the Blue Mountains at Nepean Hospital after acquiring her infection there earlier this month.
It's the fourth death linked to an outbreak at the hospital.
The state's health system continues to strain under the caseload created by the outbreak.
There are almost 800 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 125 people in intensive care and 52 ventilated.
At least two western Sydney hospitals - Westmead and Blacktown - have called "code yellows" this week as their caseload climbs.
NSW Ambulance Commissioner Dominic Morgan on Saturday said there had been so many calls for ambulances in the past three days it was the equivalent demand on paramedics as the "busiest New Year's Eve".
On Friday alone, Mr Morgan said 450 patients required paramedic assistance for suspected or actual COVID-19.
"When we receive calls that do not require an ambulance immediately, it can have dire consequences," he said, noting an instance of an ambulance taking 25 minutes to get to an 18-year-old suffering from cardiac arrest.
Health authorities are also concerned about ever-escalating outbreaks in the state's west and far west.
Of the new cases diagnosed in NSW on Friday, 46 were diagnosed in the state's west and far west.
The state's first drive-through vaccination clinic has opened in Dubbo, as the outbreak in the regional city nears 400 cases with 34 detected on Friday.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard also on Saturday announced that from 12.01am on Friday this coming week people were allowed to get married with up to five guests, as well as people "obviously necessary for the actual service".
Australian Associated Press
