10 December 2020

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.

CasesCount
Confirmed cases (incl. interstate residents in NSW health care facilities)4,435
Deaths (in NSW from confirmed cases)55
Total tests carried out3,579,652

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.

Investigations continue into the source of the recent COVID-19 case who works at a Sydney quarantine hotel complex. Close contacts remain in self-isolation and no further positive results have been identified.

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:

  • 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.
  • 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.

Likely source of confirmed COVID-19 cases in NSW

Likely source of infectionCases past 24 hours*Cases past 7 days**All cases
Overseas 4
27
2,475
Interstate 0090
Locally acquired – linked to known case or cluster 001,437
Locally acquired – no links to known case or cluster00432
Locally acquired – investigation ongoing 011
Under initial investigation000
Total4
27
4,435

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

Returned travellers in hotel quarantine to date

Since 29 March 2020 Count
Symptomatic travellers tested 7,726
Found positive 165
Since 30 June 2020Count
Asymptomatic travellers screened at day 2 56,217
Found positive317
Since 15 May 2020Count
Asymptomatic travellers screened at day 1068,094
Found positive160