More than 50,000 positive tests registered with Service NSW

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet today announced people will now be required to report positive RAT results dating back to January 1 or face a $1000 fine.

NSW Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello told Nine’s Chris O’Keefe on 2GB this afternoon 53,909 people had uploaded a result since the change went live in the app at 9am.

Earlier, the premier outlined the new rules around registering rapid test results and announced people who fail to register a positive rapid antigen test result on the Service NSW app will be fined $1000.

Mr Perrottet said anybody who had tested positive with a RAT since January 1 needed to log their result.

There will be a grace period of one week before fines are enforced from January 19.

The registration service was launched at 9am today.

Mr Perrottet said while the mandate “is harder to enforce”, the option of not making it mandatory would “discourage” people from registering it.

He said he expected NSW residents to do the right thing and upload their results.

People with the app can also add in test results for their dependents, as with the QR check-in.

“For those people that don’t have a Service NSW app, you can also go to the Service NSW website, and access the form there,” Mr Dominello said.

“Alternatively, you can go and call Service NSW and they will provide assistance.”

Interstate travellers can also register a guest account.

Today’s case numbers come from 134,411 tests, up from 71,352.

A person in their 30s and one centenarian are among the reported deaths.

Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant also revealed that seven of the deaths reported on NSW’s deadliest day were in fact historical.

The deaths actually took place last year, as early as September, but were initially reported to the coroner, who has now confirmed they were COVID-19 cases.

Hospitalisations remain on the rise, with 2242 people in hospital and 175 in ICU.

The state recorded 40,127 new coronavirus cases, with hospitalisations rising to 946 patients and 112 in ICU.

NSW clocked 25,870 infections yesterday, amid rising hospitalisations and 11 deaths.

They include single-pack limits on toilet paper and a two-pack restriction for painkillers.

“After that experience, and hearing the premier talking about the system being strong… it’s just not,” Melanie Moir’s husband, Alex, said.

“The healthcare workers on the ground are doing an amazing job, but they can’t provide the level of care that they want to.”