NSW reports 52 Covid deaths in deadliest day of pandemic as ‘son of Omicron’ cases emerge

NSW premier Dominic Perrottet offered his condolences to the loved ones of the 52 people who died from Covid in the last 24 hours. Photograph: Bianca de Marchi/AAP

New South Wales has recorded its deadliest day of the pandemic so far, reporting 52 deaths from Covid in the last 24 hours.

It comes as the state’s chief health officer, Dr Kerry Chant, confirmed four cases of the new Omicron subvariant, described as “son of Omicron”, saying there is “likely to be more”.