The daily case numbers continue to climb, with NSW recording 239 new cases of COVID-19 since yesterday.
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With Greater Sydney in lockdown for at least another four weeks, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said there were still 70 people infectious in the community.
She warned transmissions were still occurring in workplaces, households and in health settings.
"Based on those numbers we can only assume things are going to get worse before they get better," she said.
"We cannot continue to see the transmissions continue in these settings."
She warned of a stronger police presence and higher penalties for those who are not following the public health order rules.
"Police will also be given the power to close a public premise, worksite or business if they continue to flout the rules," she said.
There were 111,000 people tested in the 24 hours to 8pm on Wednesday.
"We are making it easier for people to get vaccinated. Please come forward for vaccination," Ms Berejiklian said.
"It is our way forward out of this."
Two more deaths
Two people - a southwest Sydney woman in her 90s and man in his 80s - have died, taking the toll for the current outbreak to 13.
Greater Sydney and surrounding regions are in lockdown until at least August 28 as health authorities battle an outbreak of the virulent Delta strain.
Of the record 239 cases - which surpasses the 212 cases recorded on March 27, 2020 - at least 22 were in the community for part of their illnesses and 66 were infectious in the community.
The isolation status of 70 cases remains under investigation.
The source for 126 is still under investigation.
"We can only assume that things are likely to get worse before they get better given the quantum of people infectious in the community," Premier Gladys Berejiklian told reporters on Thursday
"Can we stress again, as we have in the past weeks - most of these transmissions are occurring amongst households and in workplaces, but also in health settings."