NSW recorded three locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night, with an additional six cases in returned travellers in hotel quarantine.

All three of today's locally acquired cases are linked to the Avalon cluster. They had all been identified as contacts of known cases and were in isolation when they tested positive. Investigations continue into the source of the Avalon cluster, which now numbers 129.

This brings the total number of COVID-19 cases in NSW to 4,692 since the beginning of the pandemic.

There were 16,329 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with the previous day's total of 15,364.

Of the nine new cases to 8pm last night:

• Three locally acquired cases are linked to a known case or cluster
• Six cases were acquired overseas and are in hotel quarantine.

NSW Health is treating 122 COVID-19 cases, none of whom are in intensive care. Most cases (97 per cent) are being treated in non-acute, out-of-hospital care, including returned travellers in the Special Health Accommodation.

NSW Health thanks the community for their response to the call for testing. Every person who is tested plays an important role in helping to contain the spread of COVID‑19. Testing numbers have fallen in the post-Christmas period, and it is vital that everyone in NSW continues to come forward for testing immediately if they have even the mildest of symptoms.

NSW Health also thanks all those people currently isolating. It is critical that if you are a close contact of a case, that you complete your full period of isolation, even if you have received a negative test result. A number of cases in recent days have tested positive in the final days of their period of isolation. Please make sure you complete your full period of isolation, and have a final negative test result before you leave isolation, as this will ensure you will not pass the virus to family, friends and members of your community unknowingly.

We must all keep up our guard against COVID-19 throughout the holiday period by limiting social interactions wherever possible and following recommended infection control practices, including physical distancing and hand hygiene. Don't risk passing on COVID-19 for the sake of one social gathering. If you are feeling at all unwell, or have even the slightest symptoms, stay at home and don't go to the event.

COVID-19 cases linked to the Avalon cluster have visited a growing list of locations across Sydney, and new places are added every day. A full list of venues and public transport routes, and the associated public health advice, is available from the NSW Government website at Latest news and updates.

​With a number of cases recently linked to Sydney's CBD, it is important for people who spent time in the north-eastern part of the city over the last two weeks – including the Australia Square, MLC Centre and Chifley Square – to be alert for symptoms, and isolate immediately and get tested should any symptoms develop, no matter how mild.

Testing clinics are open throughout the holiday break, including New Year's Day. There are more than 350 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW, many of which are open seven days a week. To find your nearest clinic visit COVID-19 clinics or contact your GP.

Likely source of confirmed COVID-19 cases in NSW

Note: Case counts reported for a particular day may vary over time due to ongoing investigations and case review.
*notified from 8pm 25 December 2020 to 8pm 26 December 2020
**from 8pm 20 December 2020 to 8pm 26 December 2020

Returned travellers in hotel quarantine to date

Today's press conference will be uploaded to the Press conferences page once available.