NSW has reported eight cases of locally transmitted COVID-19 through to 8pm last night. Three of these cases were announced to the public yesterday, and are included in today’s numbers.
Four cases in overseas travellers in hotel quarantine were diagnosed in the 24 hours to 8pm last night, bringing the total number of cases in NSW to 4,072.
There were 12,498 tests reported in the 24-hour reporting period, compared with 5,970 in the previous 24 hours.
Of the twelve new cases to 8pm last night:
One new case reported today was locally acquired, is likely to have been infected some days ago and appears linked to the Liverpool Hospital Dialysis cluster. Four more cases are close contacts of this case.
One new case is locally acquired whose source is under investigation. The remaining two cases today are close contacts of this case.
A known case travelled on a train on Saturday, 3 October that left Parramatta station at 7:13pm and arrived at Milsons Point station at 8:04pm. Anyone who caught the train at this time is considered a casual contact and must monitor for symptoms and get tested immediately if they develop. After testing, they must remain in isolation until a negative test result is received.
Locations linked to known cases, advice on testing and isolation, and areas identified for increased testing can be at NSW Government - Latest news and updates.
Testing numbers have dropped recently, which is a concern. NSW Health renews its call for increased testing across Sydney, even if you have the mildest of symptoms like a runny nose or scratchy throat, cough, fever or other symptoms that could be COVID-19.
This is especially important for people across West and South West Sydney with these new cases and after the state’s sewage surveillance program detected fragments of the virus at the North Richmond and West Camden treatment plants.
A full list of COVID-19 testing clinics is available or people can visit their GP.
NSW Health is treating 51 COVID-19 cases, including one in intensive care, who does not require ventilation. Eighty per cent of cases being treated by NSW Health are in non-acute, out-of-hospital care.
COVID-19 may be continuing to circulate in the community and we must all be vigilant. To help stop the spread of COVID-19:
Counts reported for a particular day may vary over time with ongoing enhanced surveillance activities.
Press conference - Monday 8 October