As at 8pm, Saturday March 28 2020, an additional 174 cases of COVID-19 have been diagnosed, since 8pm 27 March, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in NSW to 1,791.
There are 160 COVID-19 cases being treated in NSW; including 24 cases in our Intensive Care Units and, of those, 12 require ventilators at this stage.
These figures reveal that testing for COVID-19 is occurring at a significant rate across the state and we urge everyone to follow NSW Health advice about social distancing, personal hygiene and staying at home wherever possible.
Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network is taking appropriate health and safety measures after a staff member at Long Bay Hospital was diagnosed with COVID-19. Contact tracing is being undertaken with staff and patients, and those identified as close contacts are being placed in isolation and will undergo testing.
From 11.59pm on Saturday 28 March 2020, all travellers arriving in Australia from overseas will be required to undertake their mandatory 14-day self isolation at designated facilities (for example, a hotel). Travellers are transported directly to designated facilities after appropriate immigration, customs and enhanced health checks at the airport.
There were 245 passengers from the Roald Amundsen and Scenic Eclipse cruises who flew to Sydney from South America and arrived late on Friday night. All of these passengers were screened for COVID-19 at the airport and all are required to be in isolation for 14 days.
As of 8pm, Saturday, 28 March there have been 189 COVID-19 cases diagnosed in NSW from the Ruby Princess, of 2,647 passengers. There are 59 confirmed NSW cases from the Ovation of the Seas and 23 cases from the second cruise of the Voyager of the Seas.
There are three confirmed cases at Normanhurst West Public School – two teachers and a student. A new case has been identified in a student. Investigation is ongoing, close contacts have been isolated and the school has reopened.
NSW Health is extremely disappointed by the theft of vital medical protective equipment from health facilities. We would ask the community to support our frontline staff by respecting their need to protect themselves so they can care for others.
The NSW Government is working around the clock to ensure our health workers have access to appropriate protective equipment.
NSW Health is providing information to keep the community informed about COVID-19 while also protecting the privacy of patients. We will keep providing information to the people of NSW as it becomes available.
NSW Health is alerting passengers who were close contacts on flights to monitor for symptoms, and contact their GP, but call ahead first, or call healthdirect on 1800 022 222, or visit a NSW Health COVID-19/Flu assessment clinic should they become unwell.
Everyone can help prevent the spread of COVID-19 by practising social distancing, thorough hand washing, cough etiquette and staying home if they’re unwell. Learn how to protect yourself and others.