Covid positive test rate in NSW jumps to 6.5%, highest since start of pandemic

The Covid positive test rate in New South Wales has risen to 6.5%, the highest since the pandemic began.

The positivity rate is up from 1.73% a week ago and 0.71% a fortnight ago, a figure some epidemiologists say is likely to mean a proportion of cases are going undetected.

In the 24-hour period to 8pm on Sunday, 97,241 tests were conducted, with 6,324 cases detected, resulting in a positive test rate of 6.5%.

After the easing of restrictions in mid-October, the positive test rate hovered at 0.5% or below while testing numbers remained relatively high.

The timing of the uptick in test positivity corresponded with the lifting of restrictions in conjunction with the arrival of the Omicron variant and holiday socialising.

Provided testing turnouts are consistent, the higher the positive test rate climbs, the greater the extent of undetected spread of Covid.

While the state has recorded its highest positive test rates since the start of the pandemic, Martiniuk said it was important to keep in mind the slightly lower testing numbers over the Christmas weekend.