NSW has reported two cases of locally transmitted COVID 19 through to 8pm last night.

One case, acquired overseas and announced yesterday, is counted in today’s reporting period of the 24 hours to 8pm last night.

One case reported in August has been excluded after further investigations, bringing the total number of cases in NSW to 4,084.

There were 15,439 tests reported in the 24-hour reporting period, compared with 12,868 in the previous 24 hours.

Of the three new cases to 8pm last night:

• One was acquired overseas
• Two were locally acquired and under investigation

As reported yesterday, a crew member who acquired COVID-19 overseas arrived in the Port of Newcastle from Brisbane on a ship with international mariners aboard. This case is receiving medical care at John Hunter Hospital.

All other crew members are considered close contacts and remain on board for quarantine and monitoring. It is important to note this case presents no COVID-19 risk to the people of Newcastle.

One of today’s locally acquired cases, announced yesterday, is a nurse at St Vincent's Hospital Sydney. The casual nurse worked a single evening shift on Wednesday 7 October while infectious. The nurse provided specialised care to a single patient, and had limited contact with a very small number of colleagues. Contact tracing is continuing and the source of the infection is under investigation, though it is believed infection occurred outside the hospital. The second locally acquired case is linked to this case.

Locations linked to known cases, advice on testing and isolation, and areas identified for increased testing can be at NSW Government - Latest news and updates.

Testing numbers have dropped recently, which is a concern. NSW Health renews its call for increased testing across Sydney, even if you have the mildest of symptoms like a runny nose or scratchy throat, cough, fever or other symptoms that could be COVID-19.

A full list of COVID-19 testing clinics is available or people can visit their GP.

NSW Health is treating 56 COVID-19 cases, including one in intensive care who does not require ventilation. Eighty-four per cent of cases being treated by NSW Health are in non-acute, out-of-hospital care.

COVID-19 is still likely circulating in the community and we must all be vigilant. To help stop the spread of COVID-19: If you are unwell, get tested and isolate right away – don’t delay.

• Wash your hands regularly. Take hand sanitiser with you when you go out.
• Keep your distance. Leave 1.5 metres between yourself and others.
• Wear a mask when using public transport, rideshares and taxis, and in shops, places of worship and other places where you can’t physically distance. When taking taxis or rideshares, commuters should also sit in the back.

Confirmed cases to date

Counts reported for a particular day may vary over time with ongoing enhanced surveillance activities.

Returned travellers in hotel quarantine to date