Talented sportsman, just 23, dies after catching coronavirus

Family and friends of a 23-year-old man who died in a Sydney hospital after catching coronavirus are reeling after his shock death.

James Kondilios, who was double vaccinated and had no underlying health conditions, died at St Vincent's Hospital.

Mr Kondilios was a science graduate and champion power lifter who represented Australia at the 2015 classic powerlifting world championships in Finland. He won bronze.

He grew up in Sydney and attended high school at Waverley College, in the city's east.

After graduating high school, Mr Kondilios completed an advanced science degree at the Australian National University in Canberra, and was awarded a national science prize in 2019.

Mr Kondilios was one of six people who died in New South Wales in the last reported period, the others were in their 60s, 80s and 90s.

"Couldn't ask for a better friend," one of Mr Kondilios' friends wrote on Facebook, as tributes were posted on social media.

"I regret that I didn't hug you even harder the last time we saw each other," Stephen Ma wrote.

NSW has reported more than 70,000 new cases in the last two days.

There are currently more than 1600 people in hospital across the state with the virus

New restrictions are set to be announced today, as the government hopes to stem the spread of coronavirus and lessen the burden on hospitals and the healthcare system.