NSW records 25,870 new COVID-19 cases as test numbers drop

New South Wales has recorded 25,870 new COVID-19 cases and 11 deaths in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.

Hospitalisations rose to 2186, with 170 in intensive care.

There were 71,325 tests done in that same time period, down significantly on yesterday's 84,333.

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Case numbers were up a little on yesterday, though they could soon leap again with NSW considering making it mandatory to report positive rapid antigen tests.

NSW Chief Medical Officer Kerry Chant said the lower case numbers were because of the transition from PCR testing to RATs,

"That (case number) clearly is an underestimate," Dr Chant said.

Mandatory rapid antigen test reporting could see case numbers rise again, giving health authorities a more accurate picture of the state's case numbers.

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But the tests remain scarce in NSW, with more supplies incoming.

Of yesterday's 18 dead, one was a child aged under five from south-western Sydney who had "significant" underlying health conditions.

Health authorities are reacting to an increase in hospitalisations, with some patients moved from public to private hospitals to free up beds.

Health Deputy Secretary Susan Pearce would not give exact numbers when asked how many patients were being moved yesterday.

"We are talking about in the tens of patients, not hundreds at this stage."

She said the ICU particularly in Western Sydney and south-western Sydney have "quite a lot of patients", both COVID and non-COVID.

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