24 August 2020

Three new cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed in the 24 hours to 8pm last night, bringing the total number of cases in NSW to 3,799.

Cases Count
Confirmed cases (including interstate residents in NSW health care facilities) 3,799
Deaths (in NSW from confirm​​ed cases) 54
Total tests carried out 2,016,293

There were 20,720 tests reported in the 24-hour reporting period, compared with 26,480 in the previous 24 hours. There have now been more than two million tests in NSW. NSW Health would like to thank everyone who has come forward for testing.

Of the three new cases reported to 8pm last night:

  • two cases were acquired overseas and are in hotel quarantine
  • one case is a close contact of a previous case.

The close contact of a previous case was a healthcare worker at Liverpool Hospital. They were in self-isolation for their infectious period.

People who attended the following venues where a previous case visited at the times listed should monitor for symptoms, no matter how slight, and immediately isolate and get tested if they appear:

  • Auburn Ramadan Pharmacy from 1.30-2.30pm on Wednesday 19 August
  • Westfield Shopping Centre Burwood from 6-7pm on Thursday, 20 August, including Kmart and Woolworths from 6.30-7pm
  • Service NSW Burwood 2.30-3pm on Friday 21 August.

There are currently 89 COVID-19 cases being treated by NSW Health. There are seven COVID-19 patients in intensive care and five are ventilated. 84 per cent of cases being treated by NSW Health are in non-acute, out-of-hospital care.

While case numbers have remained low this week, the virus continues to circulate in the community and vigilance must be maintained. It is vital that high rates of testing continue in order to find the source of the cases still under investigation and to identify and stop further spread of the virus.

For a list of locations associated with known cases and advice on testing and isolation, and areas identified for increased testing, see NSW Government - Latest new and updates.

Anyone directed to undertake a 14-day self-isolation period must stay in isolation for the full 14 days, even if they test negative during this time. Early testing may not detect an infection, and release from self-isolation based on a negative test could allow an infectious person to infect others in the community. People who are infected and develop symptoms will generally do so within 14 days of exposure. If you have any cold or flu-like symptoms at all, assume it’s COVID-19 until proven otherwise – isolate and get tested right away; don’t delay.

To help stop the spread of COVID-19:

  • If you are unwell, stay in, get tested and isolate.
  • 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 in situations where you cannot physically distance.

A full list of COVID-19 testing clinics is available or people can visit their GP.

Confirmed cases to date

By likely source of infection Count
Overseas 2,063
Interstate acquired 89
Locally acquired – contact of a confirmed case and/or in a known cluster 1,262
Locally acquired – contact not identified 385
Under investigation​ 0
Total 3,799

Counts reported for a particular day may vary over time with ongoing enhanced surveillance activities.

Returned travellers in hotel quarantine to date

Si​nce 29 March 2020 Count
Symptomatic travellers tested 4,656
Found positive 121
Since 30 June 2020 Count
As​ymptomatic travellers screened at a day 2 16,106
Found positive 85
Since 15 May 2020 Count
Asymptomatic travellers screened at a day 10 29,340
Found positive 119
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