Three new cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed in the 24 hours to 8pm last night, and one case was excluded after further investigation, bringing the total number of cases in NSW to 3,770.
There were 13,736 tests reported in the 24-hour reporting period, compared with 10,806 in the previous 24 hours.
Of the three new cases reported to 8.00pm last night:
One locally acquired case is a close contact of a previously reported case linked to the funeral gatherings cluster, bringing the total cases associated with this cluster to 73.
The source of infection for the other locally acquired case is under investigation, and contact tracing is under way.
Even though daily case numbers are low, there have been 16 cases in the last 4 weeks whose source is not identified or linked to clusters, mainly in Western and South Western Sydney, indicating that COVID-19 is continuing to circulate in the community, undetected.
So, if you have any cold or flu like symptoms at all, assume its COVID-19 until proven otherwise – isolate and get tested right away; don’t delay.
It is vital to maintain high rates of testing at this critical time, in order to find the source of these cases still under investigation. NSW Health is urging anyone with even the mildest of symptoms – including runny nose, sore throat, cough, or loss of taste and smell – to come forward for testing as the best way to protect their family, friends and wider community.
Testing is particularly important in South Western Sydney, Western Sydney and Sydney east (Sydney, Surry Hills, Darlinghurst, Woolloomooloo, Potts Point, Rushcutters Bay, Elizabeth Bay and Centennial Park) which have been identified as areas for increased testing and surveillance.
Previous cases have attended the below venues. Anyone who attended these venues at the following dates and times are considered to be casual contacts, and should monitor for symptoms and immediately get tested and isolate if symptoms occur, however mild:
For a list of locations associated with known cases and advice on testing and isolation, and areas identified for increased testing an surveillance,see NSW Government - Latest new and updates.
There are currently 122 COVID-19 cases being treated by NSW Health. There are seven COVID 19 patients in intensive care and five are ventilated. Eighty-nine per cent of cases being treated by NSW Health are in non-acute, out-of-hospital care.
To help stop the spread of COVID-19:
A full list of COVID-19 testing clinics is available or people can visit their GP.
Anyone directed to undertake a 14-day self-isolation period must stay in isolation for the full 14 days, even if they test negative during this time. 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. People who are infected and develop symptoms will generally do so within 14 days of exposure.
Counts reported for a particular day may vary over time with ongoing enhanced surveillance activities.