On Wednesday afternoon it was revealed the woman in her 60s died at Orange Base Hospital in the Central West of NSW.
The woman contracted the virus after returning from a holiday on the Ruby Princess cruise ship, which has been linked to six deaths in Australia and more than 400 confirmed cases.
There are now eight cruise ships off the coast of NSW that could be visited in a military-style operation involving medics flying to the vessels to test around 8000 passengers and crew aboard.
But there is concern if passengers test positive to the virus and are brought to Sydney, the city’s healthcare system would be overwhelmed.
NSW recorded 116 new cases on Wednesday, taking the state’s tally to 2298.
Forty-three patients are in ICU and 20 of those patients need ventilators.
Speaking at a press conference this morning, NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said there are now 3557 people quarantined in NSW hotel rooms while another 500 travellers are expected today.
There are also about 200 returning ADF personnel, who were deployed in the Middle East; they will also be quarantined in NSW hotel rooms.
Fuller added that the state’s social distancing rules will be in place for 90 days.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian this morning thanked businesses for responding to her call to “retool” yesterday, to help provide necessary health supplies to the state’s hospitals and health clinics.
The Premier said more than 500 businesses have registered to retool so far.
