As at 11am today, an additional 37 cases of COVID-19 have been diagnosed since our last update at 11am, March 15, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in NSW to 171.

Confirmed cases to date

By sex and age group

By likely source of infection

NSW Health is alerting passengers who were close contacts on the following flights to monitor for symptoms, and contact their GP, but call ahead first, or call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 should they become unwell.

Flight details of confirmed cases

• Qantas flight QF8 from Dallas to Sydney, arriving 11 March 2020. Close contacts were on rows 73-77 and 11-15.
• Virgin Australia flight VA2 from Los Angeles to Sydney, arriving 11 March 2020. Close contacts were in rows 2 – 6
• Emirates flight EK414 from Dubai to Sydney, arriving 8 March 2020 (we had already released this but there are more cases from the flight). Further close contacts were in rows 11 – 16, 45 – 49 and 58 – 62
• Virgin Australia flight VA480 from Maroochydore to Sydney, arriving 13 March 2020. Close contacts were in rows 1 – 4.

Following confirmation of a case, NSW Health is asking that as a precaution, anyone who visited Oakvale Winery, Pokolbin NSW, between 4 March and 13 March 2020 should be alert for fever or respiratory symptoms for 14 days after their visit and practise social distancing. If they develop any of these symptoms, they should contact their GP, but call ahead first, or call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222 should they become unwell. There is no ongoing risk for visitors to Oakvale Wines.

Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, runny nose or shortness of breath.

NSW Health has identified a cluster of at least six confirmed cases who attended a wedding at Tumbling Waters Retreat, Stanwell Tops on 6 March, 2020, potentially linked to travel from the U.S. Close contacts are being followed up for further investigation.

Updated advice to the public

Clinics

NSW Health COVID-19 / Flu assessment clinics are up and running across the state.

For the location of these clinics refer to COVID-19 clinics.

These clinics are currently assisting with the assessment and testing of people with fever, cough or flu-like symptoms who are returned travellers or a contact of a confirmed case.

Everyone should practise social distancing, as it reduces the potential for transmission.

Social distancing is an effective measure to reduce the potential for transmission, but it is recognised that it cannot be practised in all situations.

While practising social distancing, people can travel to work,including on public transport. For non-essential activities outside the workplace or attendance at schools, universities and childcare – social distancing includes:

• avoiding crowds and mass gatherings where it is difficult to keep the appropriate distance away from others
• avoiding small gatherings in enclosed spaces, for example family celebrations
• attempting to keep a distance of 1.5 metres between themselves and other people where possible, for example when they are out and about in public place.
• avoiding shaking hands, hugging, or kissing other people
• avoiding visiting vulnerable people, such as those in aged care facilities or hospitals, infants, or people with compromised immune systems due to illness or medical treatment.