NSW has reported one new case of locally transmitted COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.
Four cases in overseas travellers in hotel quarantine were also diagnosed, bringing the total number of cases in NSW to 4,137.
There were 16,391 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with 15,802 in the previous 24 hours. NSW Health would like to thank the community for coming forward for testing – please keep getting tested for even the slightest of symptoms.
Of the five new cases to 8pm last night:
The one new locally acquired case is a household contact of a previously reported case linked to the Lakemba cluster.
NSW Health is working in close cooperation with a number of other agencies to provide the Lakemba community and local businesses with extra support to help achieve COVID-safe practices.
The state’s sewage surveillance program detected traces of the COVID-19 virus in raw sewage at a treatment plant at Quakers Hill on 13 October 2020. The plant serves part of Sydney’s west and north west, which includes areas where recent cases have resided. These findings serve as a reminder that people in these areas need to remain particularly vigilant for symptoms of possible COVID-19 and to get tested immediately should they occur.
A positive SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) sewage result can provide an early warning of possible virus introduction in areas where transmission had not previously been detected.
Anyone who attended these venues must follow the advice immediately. As the full 14 days since exposure has elapsed contacts do not need to continue to isolate if a negative test result is received:
Everyone plays an important role in helping to contain the pandemic by getting tested quickly and following social distancing rules. Get tested on the day you get symptoms – don’t wait to see if they go away. Assume it’s COVID-19 until proven otherwise by a test. There is no limit on how many tests you can have.
Testing is quick, free, and easy and most people receive their test result within 24 hours. If you have even the mildest of symptoms like a runny nose or scratchy throat, cough, fever or other symptoms that could be COVID-19, please come forward for testing right away.
There are over 300 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW. To find your nearest clinic visit COVID-19 testing clinics or contact your GP.
NSW Health is treating 71 COVID-19 cases, including one in intensive care who does not require ventilation. Ninety-three 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:
Counts reported for a particular day may vary over time with ongoing enhanced surveillance activities.
Press conference - 16 October 2020