An urgent warning has been issued to people living in a western Sydney local government area after health authorities identified a strain of COVID-19 responsible for more than a dozen deaths.

People in the Penrith LGA have been asked to come forward for testing after the strain was identified to have been associated with known COVID-19 clusters.

The strain of the virus is the same one thats been identified at the Newmarch House in Caddens, where 59 people have tested positive for COVID-19 and 13 people have died.

Were uring people in the Penrith local government area to be a focus for increased testing, NSW Chief Medical Officer Dr Kerry Chant said on Friday.

In the video below: NSW Premier confirms nine new coronavirus cases

We are aware that our genetic testing of the virus has indicated there has been a virus strain of COIVD-19 circulating in that broader community and we have seen it enter, for instance, the Newmarch house, but also its been associated with other clusters in that area.

So anyone in the Penrith LGA, I particularly urge you, if youve got respiratory symptoms, come forth and get tested.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she wants at least 8,000 people to come forward for testing every day across the state and she doesnt want to see a dip on the weekend.

Our goal is to have as many people tested every day of the week as possible and we want to get close to that 8000 number and even exceed it, she told reporters on Friday.

So please come forward even if you have the mildest symptoms.

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You dont need to wait until Monday. You could be unintentionally passing on the disease without knowing you have it.

Nine new cases of coronavirus were announced on Friday, bringing the states total number of cases to 3,025.

Of the new cases, three are from a known cluster or source, one was acquired overseas and another one remains under investigation.

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Coronavirus in NSW: Penrith residents urged to get tested as COVID-19 strain behind deadly outbreak spreads - 7NEWS.com.au

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