Hundreds died from COVID-19 caught in NSW hospitals last year, data reveals.

At least 6,007 patients contracted the virus in NSW public hospitals in 2023, with 297 deaths - an average of 115 infections and six deaths per week. 

Data released under freedom of information laws reportedly shows hospital-acquired infections remain a significant issue, even as vaccination rates rise.

Between January and April 2024, another 1,729 patients caught COVID-19 in hospital, with 86 deaths. Overall, around 2,100 people died from the virus in NSW in 2023, with 14 per cent of those infections contracted in hospital.

Lawyer Peter Vogel, who sought the data, says the Ministry of Health initially “denied holding complete and accurate records”. 

Both the Ministry and the Clinical Excellence Commission eventually complied after an 18-month process.

Experts are sounding alarms over inadequate infection control. 

Intensive care specialists have warned that “indifference to COVID-19” is worsening the strain on healthcare. Many argue that current hospital precautions, including mask use and air filtration, are not sufficient to protect patients.

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