05 December 2020

NSW recorded no new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.

Two cases were reported in overseas travellers, bringing the total number of cases in NSW since the start of the pandemic to 4,416.

CasesCount
Confirmed cases (incl. interstate residents in NSW health care facilities) 4,416
Deaths (in NSW from confirmed cases) 55
Total tests carried out 3,529,081

There were 11,953 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with 11,128 in the previous 24 hours.

NSW Health is treating 78 COVID-19 cases, none of whom are in intensive care. Most cases (92 per cent) are being treated in non-acute, out-of-hospital care, including returned travellers in Special Health Accommodation.

As reported yesterday afternoon, the viral genome sequence from the recent COVID-19 case who works at a Sydney quarantine hotel complex does not match the virus strains seen in recent clusters in Australia.

The virus may be of United States origin. The source of infection may be international aircrew who were self-isolating in the hotel at the time, however investigations are continuing.

NSW is working with Commonwealth agencies to identify potential COVID-19 cases among aircrew who stayed at the hotel, who may have since departed Australia.

Testing of close contacts of the case is continuing, with no further positive results.

As previously reported, the case travelled on a number of train and light rail services between 27 and 30 November, including trains between Minto and Lidcombe and Lidcombe and Central, and light rail between Central and Capitol Square and Central and Convention. If you travelled on any of these routes on these dates, please visit the NSW Health website for further details of times and further actions required from passengers. The website includes updated information on close and casual contacts.

Additionally, anyone living in the Minto and Lidcombe areas who is feeling unwell – no matter how mild their symptoms – is urged to come forward immediately for testing, and to isolate until a negative result is received.

There are more than 300 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW. To find your nearest clinic visit COVID-19 testing clinics or contact your GP.

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.

Likely source of confirmed COVID-19 cases in NSW

Likely source of infectionCases past 24 hours*Cases past 7 days**All cases
Overseas 2
38
2,455
Interstate 0090
Locally acquired – linked to known case or cluster 001,437
Locally acquired – no links to known case or cluster00433
Locally acquired – investigation ongoing 111
Under initial investigation000
Total2
39
4,416

Note: Case counts reported for a particular day may vary over time due to ongoing investigations and case review.

*notified from 8pm 3 December 2020 to 8pm 4 December 2020
**from 8pm 28 November 2020 to 8pm 4 December 2020

Returned travellers in hotel quarantine to date

Since 29 March 2020Count
Symptomatic travellers tested 7,531
Found positive 163
Since 30 June 2020Count
Asymptomatic travellers screened at day 2 54,061
Found positive303
Since 15 May 2020Count
Asymptomatic travellers screened at day 1065,967
Found positive159