The impact of contextual socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of residents on COVID-19 outcomes during public health restrictions in Sydney, Australia.

Objective: To investigate the impact of contextual socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of residents on COVID-19 outcomes during public health measures.

Methods: Aggregated data from the NSW Notifiable Conditions Information Management System linked to Australian Census data, by periods of strict and relaxed measures, were used.

Results: During strict measures, residents of areas of lower socioeconomic status (SES) had a higher risk of infection, with the lowest areas having greater risk compared with the highest areas ((hazard ratio (HR)) 7.