NSW has recorded four more deaths and 415 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19, as a statewide lockdown continues.
At least 66 people were circulating in the community for all or part of their infectious period, with 273 more cases under investigation.
All those who died were from Sydney's southwest: a woman in her 50s in Campbelltown Hospital, a woman in her 70s in Royal North Shore Hospital, another in her 80s in Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and a man in his 80s in Liverpool Hospital.
Of them, only one was fully vaccinated but had underlying health conditions.
The death toll stands at 48 for this outbreak, with 62 people in intensive care, 24 of them requiring ventilation.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian says while "much more work" is to be done, the case tally is a "welcome drop" from Saturday's figures when the state recorded 466 new cases.
"Yesterday was an absolute wake-up call," she told reporters.
"We can't stress enough that we don't want to go down the path of all these other places overseas where they have literally thousands and thousands and thousands of cases a day.
"If too many people do the wrong thing ... NSW and Australia will follow what has happened (there) ..."
The west and southwest remain Sydney's areas of most worry including Blacktown, Mount Druitt, Marayong, Merrylands, Auburn and Guildford. In the regions, the state's west is generating concern.
More than half of the new locally acquired cases to 8pm on Saturday were from Sydney's west and southwest.
Forty two were also recorded in the central Sydney health area, 36 in the Blue Mountains, 31 in South Eastern Sydney and 21 in Western NSW.
Inland NSW remains a concern, especially in relation to vulnerable Indigenous communities.
"In terms of the risk areas, I am very concerned about western NSW," chief health officer Kerry Chant said.
"We have cases in Dubbo, cases in Walgett and we have exposures and sewage detections in a number of other areas such as Bourke."
The virus was also detected in the Lennox Head sewerage plant in the north of the state.
Dr Chant also confirmed that a 15 year old COVID positive boy had been among those admitted to hospital although he was also being treated for pneumococcal meningitis.
Ms Berejiklian meanwhile said five million doses had been given out in NSW with half of the state's eligible population having now received their first vaccination.
She also welcomed the half a million Pfizer vaccines to be supplied to NSW by the Commonwealth.
"Please know we will be putting that to very good use, we'll be targeting 16- to 39-year-olds in those local government areas of concern," she said.
All of NSW entered a seven-day lockdown early Saturday evening, with police handed stronger powers to enforce regulations.
Officers will be out from midnight on Sunday in affected local government areas and able to impose fines of up to $5000 for breaching health orders.
On Saturday night, 529 infringement notices were issued for breaches and 29 people were charged.
Thirty one young people were among those fined after gathering at Clovelly, in Sydney's east on Saturday night.
Deputy police commissioner Mick Willing said from Sunday night 1400 Highway Patrol officers would be on patrol.
"The unprecedented operation will see thousands of police officers from police districts and police area commands across the state working alongside our colleagues from the Australian Defence Force, enforcing the strength public health orders," he said.
People in Greater Sydney will need a permit to travel to regional NSW and single people will need to register their "singles buddies".
In newly-locked down regional areas, people must only leave their residence for an essential reason.
Everyone must carry masks at all times, no visitors are allowed in the home unless for carers' responsibilities or for compassionate reasons, and those in a relationship.
© AAP 2021