NSW recorded no new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.
Five new cases were acquired overseas, bringing the total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic to 5,067.
There were 11,872 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with the previous day's total of 14,049.
| Confirmed cases (including interstate residents in NSW health care facilities) | 5,067 |
| Deaths (in NSW from confirmed cases) | 56 |
| Total tests carried out | 5,228,045 |
There have been no new cases of local transmission associated with the Sofitel Wentworth Hotel, following the identification of three cases now known to be genomically linked involving one security guard and two returned travellers.
Investigations continue into the nature and direction of the transmission between the cases.
Close contacts of the security guard, including his household contacts, have all tested negative to date and will continue to self-isolate for 14 days.
Ongoing testing of staff at both quarantine hotels where the security guard worked has identified no additional cases. No other returned travellers on the same floor of the Sofitel Wentworth have tested positive to date. A full list of the exposure venues associated with the security guard can be viewed on the
NSW Government website.
These cases underscore the need for continued community vigilance for any signs and symptoms of COVID-19. It is critical that everyone continues to practise COVID-safe behaviours and seek testing with even the mildest of cold-like symptoms.
NSW Health is treating 54 COVID-19 cases, none of whom are in ICU. Most cases (91 per cent) are being treated in non-acute, out-of-hospital care, including returned travellers in the Special Health Accommodation.
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
| Overseas | 5 | 21 | 2,888 |
| Interstate | 0 | 0 | 90 |
| Locally acquired – linked to known case or cluster | 0 | 2 | 1,643 |
| Locally acquired – no links to known case or cluster | 0 | 0 | 446 |
| Locally acquired – investigation ongoing | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Under initial investigation | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 5 | 23 | 5,067 |
Note: Case counts reported for a particular day may vary over time due to ongoing investigations and case review.
*notified from 8pm 17 March 2021 to 8pm 18 March 2021
**from 12 March 2021 to 8pm 18 March 2021
Returned travellers in hotel quarantine to date
| Symptomatic travellers tested | 10,962 |
| Found positive | 212 |
| Asymptomatic travellers screened at day 2 | 85,226 |
| Found positive | 536 |
| Asymptomatic travellers screened at day 10 | 79,623 |
| Found positive | 182 |
| Asymptomatic travellers screened at day 12* | 17,100 |
| Found positive | 16 |
* Testing previously carried out on day 10 is now carried out on day 12.
