The number of coronavirus cases in NSW has jumped above 300, with close to 50 cases believed to be locally transmitted.
Meanwhile, authorities across some 20 state government agencies have shifted to the Rural Fire Service NSW headquarters in order to liaise more effectively.
NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant told reporters on Thursday there were 307 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state, up from 267 on Wednesday.
Of this number, almost 130 were acquired overseas, including recent returnees from virus-hit areas in Europe, the UK and the US.
People in Sydney's CBD this week. Source: AAP
A further 70 cases remain under investigation.
Dr Chant said the initial precautionary approach of hospitalising all confirmed COVID-19 cases had been abandoned as cases rise.
"It's reassuring that many of our cases continue to be mild with currently six patients in intensive care units. Many of our patients are being managed in the community and being managed at home and we are only admitting patients now that require hospital care," Dr Chant said.
"We are following up and we are working in a whole-of-government way to ensure that people are doing the right thing."
Premier Gladys Berejiklian thanked NSW residents for adhering to new social distancing regulations, alongside the limitation of outdoor gatherings to fewer than 500 people and indoor to fewer than 100.
She said she had brought the state agencies into the RFS headquarters - including police, health, transport and education - in order to integrate responses to COVID-19.
"What you see here is the complete integration of police, health, education, transport and many other government agencies working together to provide safety to our citizens but also important information in a timely way," Ms Berejiklian told reporters on Thursday.
"All of our experts in this room are coordinating a whole-of-government response (and) will have that data information at their fingertips."
It's anticipated the NSW fire season and the COVID-19 pandemic will have an overlap period of three months, Ms Berejiklian said.
RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons has "already put in a contingency" for that.
NSW Health on Wednesday said an 86-year-old man previously confirmed to have COVID-19 died on Tuesday night in a Sydney hospital, taking the state's toll to five.
NSW schools remain open but without assemblies and with strict bans on sick students and teachers. Regular hand washing is being enforced.
Ms Berejiklian says there's "no rationale" for closing schools with health experts advising they should remain open despite the decision of UK authorities to close schools after this week.
Luna Park in Sydney's Milsons Point on Thursday announced it had closed down.
"In line with the federal government's national response to COVID -19, Luna Park Sydney has ceased operations temporarily and is currently closed to the public," the company said in a statement.
Ms Berejiklian said NSW Planning Minister Rob Stokes was looking at lifting regulations preventing 24-hour deliveries of stock to supermarkets amid panic-buying.
"I live near a supermarket - if some of us have to put up with trucks delivering goods in the middle of the night, so be it," the premier said.
Dr Chant said a 14 March post-match function between the University of Sydney and the University of Queensland's rugby clubs in Sydney was under the microscope.
"All people who attended this event are considered close contacts of a confirmed case and we ask that any attendees immediately self-isolate," the state's chief health officer said.
NSW Health also revealed a female patient being treated at Shoalhaven Hospital had tested positive for COVID-19.
"Public health and infection control officers are urgently working with hospital staff to ensure all patients, staff and others who may have had close contact with the female patient are identified," the department said in a statement.
As of Tuesday afternoon, only people who have recently travelled from overseas or have been in contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case and experienced symptoms within 14 days are advised to be tested.
If you believe you may have contracted the virus, call your doctor, don’t visit, or contact the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
If you are struggling to breathe or experiencing a medical emergency, call 000.
