A TikTok comedian has revealed the number of new New South Wales COVID-19 cases before they've been officially released for the fourth day in a row.
The latest revelations come despite the social media star saying he was warned by the local health department to stop uploading videos revealing the information.
Jon-Bernard Kairouz went viral this week on TikTok when he began claiming he was using mathematical equations to predict the number of cases that would be later announced by Premier Gladys Berejiklian.
On Saturday morning (NZ time), he posted a video suggesting that Berejiklian would later announce 111 new cases. Hours later, she did just that.
He spoke to news.com.au on Friday night, revealing he had a phone call from a NSW Health worker saying it was in his "best interest" to stop uploading the videos as he was "compromising the public health system". Australian media have contacted NSW Health to confirm those claims.
"I'm not going to be intimidated. It's a bit of fun at the end of the day," he said, however.
It's been suspected the comedian may have a source within the department, but Kairouz denied that to news.com.au. He says he considers the number of cases infectious in the community, the circumference of key hotspot areas, as well as the population size.
Berejiklian was asked on Friday if she was concerned someone was leaking the numbers to Kairouz.
"All we can do is focus on the job at hand," she answered.
"I know at the moment a lot of people have, or [are] alleged to have, various bits of information and advice but what is important for us as a team - team New South Wales - is to focus on what is necessary and that is to lead our state during the most challenging of times."
