NSW recorded no new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.
Four cases were reported in overseas travellers. Two previously reported cases, one locally acquired and one acquired overseas, have been excluded following further investigations. This brings the total number of cases in NSW since the start of the pandemic to 4,435.
NSW Health is treating 74 COVID-19 cases, none of whom are in intensive care. Most cases (96 per cent) are being treated in non-acute, out-of-hospital care, including returned travellers in the Special Health Accommodation.
There were 14,508 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with 13,970 in the previous 24 hours.
While numbers have increased since the weekend, there are still too few people coming forward for testing. With restrictions eased and borders having reopened, now is not the time to be complacent. Please come forward for testing immediately even with mild symptoms. Don’t wait to see if your runny nose or sore throat goes away.
NSW Health continues to urge people in south-western Sydney to get tested if they have any symptoms after fragments of the virus that causes COVID-19 were detected at the Liverpool sewage treatment plant.
The presence of SARS-CoV-2 in sewage may reflect the presence of known cases of COVID-19 diagnosed in recent weeks, or recently recovered and released overseas cases returning after hotel quarantine to their home in the area served by this sewage treatment plant.
However, NSW Health remains concerned there could be active cases in the local community in people who have not been tested and who might mistake their symptoms for a cold.
The area served by the treatment plant includes the suburbs of Bardia, Hinchinbrook, Hoxton Park, Abbotsbury, Ingleburn, Prestons, Holsworthy, Edmondson Park, Austral, Cecil Park, Cecil Hills, Elizabeth Hills, Bonnyrigg Heights, Edensor Park, Green Valley, Pleasure Point, Casula, Hammondville, Liverpool, Moorebank, Wattle Grove, Miller, Cartwright, Lurnea, Warwick Farm, Chipping Norton, Voyager Point, Macquarie Links, Glenfield, Catherine Field, Gledswood Hills, Varroville, Leppington, West Hoxton, Horningsea Park, Middleton Grange, Len Waters Estate, Carnes Hill, Denham Court.
There is no evidence COVID-19 is transmitted via wastewater systems. Sewage testing began in July, adding another tool in the fight against the pandemic.
NSW Health continues to urge travellers who may have travelled on the same public transport services as this case to come forward for testing. All affected services and carriage numbers can be found on the NSW Health website.
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:
Note: Case counts reported for a particular day may vary over time due to ongoing investigations and case review.
*notified from 8pm 8 December 2020 to 8pm 9 December 2020 **from 8pm 2 December 2020 to 8pm 9 December 2020
Video update with Dr Jeremy McAnulty - 10 December 2020