Public health alert: COVID-19 case update

13 July 2020

Fourteen new cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed in the 24 hours to 8pm last night, bringing the total number of cases in NSW to 3,303.

Of today’s new cases, four are returned travellers in hotel quarantine.

Two NSW residents acquired their infection in Victoria, and both cases have been isolating since their return to NSW. These cases have no identified close contacts in NSW, and followed health advice on their return from Victoria.

Eight cases counted today include five who attended the Crossroads Hotel in Casula, and three are contacts of cases who were at the hotel. They are isolating.

The five cases who were at the hotel include:

  • a south-western Sydney teenager who worked at the hotel on several days including 3 July
  • a south-western Sydney woman in her 40s who had dinner at the hotel on 3 July
  • a south-western Sydney man in his 40s who had dinner at the hotel on 3 July
  • a Victorian man in his 20s who had dinner at the hotel on 3 July
  • a Sydney man in his 20s who had dinner at the hotel on 3 July*

(*Four of these cases were reported by media yesterday, with the addition today of the Sydney man in his 20s who attended on 3 July.)

None of these cases appear likely to have been the source of infection at the hotel, which remains closed.

One confirmed case of COVID-19 linked to the Crossroads Hotel also attended Planet Fitness Casula. The gym is closed for cleaning. While the risk to other members is considered low, anyone who attended the gym must watch for respiratory symptoms or fever, and if they occur, isolate and get tested for COVID-19 right away.

Another case linked to the outbreak attended Picton Hotel during their infectious period, attending on 4, 9, and 10 July in the gaming room. The hotel is closed for cleaning.

NSW Health can confirm a number of ADF personnel who attended the Crossroads Hotel are isolating. None of these people have tested positive.

NSW Health is urging anyone who attended the Crossroads Hotel at Casula between Friday,, 3 July and Friday, 10 July to immediately self-isolate until 14 days after they were last there, attend a clinic for testing even if they have no symptoms, watch for respiratory symptoms and get retested should any occur. Even if you get a negative test stay in isolation for 14 days.

Testing is available at Liverpool, Campbelltown and Fairfield Hospitals. Refer to COVID-19 flu assessment clinics for information of locations. Testing is also available through GP clinics.

The pop-up clinic in the carpark of the Crossroads Hotel is open until 5pm today. As this clinic is quite busy, people are asked to be patient and attend other clinics where possible.

Victoria Department of Health reports two Victorian cases separately attended several venues in NSW, including:

  • 5 July lunch at Cook @ Kurnell
  • 5 July dinner at Highfield, Caringbah
  • 6 July dinner at the Merimbula RSL
  • 7 July breakfast at the Waterfront Café Merimbula
  • 4 and 5 July Murray Downs Golf Club.

While investigations are underway, NSW Health urges anyone who attended these venues at these times must watch for respiratory symptoms or fever, and if they occur, isolate and get tested for COVID-19 right away.

It’s essential that we all take the risk of transmission very seriously and take steps to protect ourselves and loved ones:

  • If you have even mild symptoms, a cold or cough, get tested and stay home until you’re cleared.
  • Keep your distance from others at all times even if you are well.
  • If you have been in Victoria, don’t mix with other people until two weeks has passed.

People who work in high-risk settings such as health care facilities or aged care homes must not to attend work if they have symptoms and must get tested immediately. People should also not visit relatives in these settings if they have even the mildest of symptoms or have recently returned from Victoria.

A total of 10,786 tests were notified in the 24-hour reporting period, compared with 14,975 tests in the previous 24 hours. There are 85 COVID-19 cases being treated by NSW Health, with one in intensive care. This person does not require a ventilator. In NSW, 2,799 people are known to have recovered from COVID-19.

Cases Count
Confirmed cases (incl. interstate residents in NSW health care facilities) 3,303
Deaths (in NSW from confirmed cases) 51
Cases reported recovered​ 2,799
Total tests carried out 1,050,171

Anyone feeling unwell – even with the mildest of symptoms such as a runny nose or scratchy throat – is urged to seek testing and self-isolate. Do not go to work or catch public transport until you are cleared of COVID-19. A full list of COVID-19 testing clinics is available or people can visit their GP.

It is essential people follow directions they receive about home isolation and quarantine and maintain COVID-safe practices of physical distancing of 1.5 metres, cough or sneeze into their elbow, and regularly wash their hands.