Sixteen new cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed in the 24 hours to 8.00pm last night bringing the total number of cases in NSW to 3,425.
There were 18,465 tests carried out in the 24-hour reporting period, compared with 15,903 tests in the previous 24 hours. There are 91 COVID-19 cases being treated by NSW Health, with two in intensive care. One, a man in his 70’s is ventilated and on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). In NSW, 2,799 people are known to have recovered from COVID-19.
The 16 new cases are:
There have been no additional cases associated with the Batemans Bays Soldiers Club cluster today. Investigations are continuing into the original source of infection. There are now 53 cases associated with the Crossroads Hotel cluster, 37 cases associated with the Thai Rock restaurant and eight cases associated with the Batemans Bay Soldiers Club.
Genetic sequencing of virus for cases from the Crossroads Hotel, Thai Rock restaurant and Batemans Bay Soldiers Club clusters shows that they are linked to virus strains in Victoria.
Most cases have been linked to known clusters. However community transmission continues, and NSW Health is calling on people across the state to redouble their efforts to stop the virus spreading.
If people have been directed to undertake a full 14 self-isolation period, they must stay in isolation for the full period, even if they undertake a test that comes back negative. This is because early testing may not detect an infection, and release from self-isolation based on a negative test could allow an infectious person to infect others in the community. The self-isolation period is 14 days as most people who are infected and develop symptoms will develop symptoms within 14 days of infection.
Everyone needs to be aware that there has been transmission in venues such as hotels and restaurants, gyms and social gatherings and therefore they should exercise particular caution in those situations.
While it is not a legal requirement, it would be preferable and safer for the time being to avoid all non-essential travel, and not host or attend gatherings of more than 10 people at home (not withstanding that the legal limit is 20 people). Everyone should observe social distancing and hygiene measures and consider wearing a face mask in situations where social distancing is not possible.
Following further investigation, as the previously reported case sat outside while dining, patrons of the Holy Duck restaurant in Central Park who attended on 10 July are only required to isolate and test for COVID-19 if they develop symptoms.
It is critical that anyone feeling unwell – even with the mildest of symptoms such as a runny nose or scratchy throat – seeks testing and self-isolates until they get the result. Stay at home, and do not go to work or catch public transport until you are cleared of COVID-19. A full list of COVID-19 testing clinics is available or people can visit their GP.
People who work in high-risk settings such as healthcare facilities or aged care homes must not to attend work if they have symptoms and must get tested immediately. People should also not visit relatives in these settings if they have even the mildest of symptoms or have recently returned from Victoria or attended affected venues.
It is essential people follow directions they receive about home isolation and quarantine and maintain COVID-safe practices of physical distancing of 1.5 metres, cough or sneeze into their elbow, and regularly wash their hands.
Counts reported for a particular day may vary over time with ongoing enhanced surveillance activities.
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