NSW has reported 20,794 new COVID-19 cases and four more deaths, as authorities asked residents to avoid putting unnecessary pressure on the stressed health system.
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With 1204 people hospitalised with the virus on Monday - up from 1066 the day before - and more than 2500 health workers furloughed, the health system is under strain.
"We are seeing health systems around the world put under stress and whilst we are very well placed ... it is important that we all play our part in not placing unnecessary burden on the health system," Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said on Monday.
People should avoid going to the emergency department to seek PCR tests for COVID-19 if they're not unwell, Dr Chant said.
"That potentially compromises the care of those that need it," she said.
"I know that people want to know what their diagnosis is ... but can you also just think about some of the implications of those actions."
Dr Chant reassured NSW residents that the health system is available for those who need it, urging people with health concerns not to delay seeking treatment.
NSW deputy Labor Leader Prue Car - who is still awaiting PCR confirmation of a positive rapid antigen test from December 31 - called the government's testing regime a joke.
Ms Car questioned why resources weren't increased if the health minister expected a spike after saying everyone would get Omicron.
"People want to do the right thing and get tested ... but they can't actually get the test," she told 2GB on Monday.
"It's no wonder people are frustrated."
As of December 30, 2510 healthcare workers were in isolation after being exposed to COVID-19.
Intensive care numbers jumped by 12 to 95 overnight. Twenty-five people are on ventilators.
Not all those in hospital with coronavirus were admitted for treatment for COVID-19, according to new data.
NSW Health says that a small sampling of hospital patients with COVID-19 in two local health districts over the past two weeks shows that some were admitted for unrelated illness or injury.
They include women giving birth, people seeking mental health care, and people with appendicitis or bowel obstruction, a NSW Health spokesperson said in a statement.
The agency did not respond to questions about whether a similar proportion of hospitalisations during the Delta wave was primarily for other reasons.
The spokesperson said as case numbers rise, it's to be expected that some patients will present with other conditions as their primary reason for seeking health care.
Opposition Leader Chris Minns said it was "not immaterial" that there was a rising number of admissions throughout the hospital system.
A high rate of COVID-19 among hospital patients still means extra measures must be taken by frontline workers to keep themselves and others safe, even if patients were admitted for other reasons, he said on Monday.
Dr Chant also urged parents to get their children vaccinated before school returns in four weeks.
The vaccination rate for children aged 12 to 15 had been "stubborn", lingering around 80 per cent, she said.
"We would like to see children fully vaccinated to commence the school year and because of the interval you need to act now so they can get the two doses in," she said.
The latest figures show 95 per cent of NSW residents aged 16 and over have had one dose of the vaccine and 93.6 per cent have had two doses.
The new cases were diagnosed from 96,765 tests processed in the 24 hours to 8pm on Sunday.
The four deaths included two people in their 70s and one each in their 80s and 90s.
Australian Associated Press
