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 3,844.
There were 24,632 tests reported in the 24-hour reporting period, compared with 30,282 in the previous 24 hours.
Of the fourteen new cases to 8pm last night:
Eight of the new cases are linked to the Sydney CBD cluster, bringing the total number of cases in this cluster to 23. Of the new cases, two are household contacts of previously reported cases, three attended the City Tattersalls Club, and three were close contacts of people linked to this cluster. Further investigations have found one case reported yesterday is also linked to this cluster.
NSW Health is investigating whether the CBD cluster originated in the City Tattersalls Club and then spread to workplaces in the city and to households across Sydney and the Central Coast. To assist in identifying earlier and possible undiagnosed cases, NSW Health is asking anyone who attended the Club between 4 August 2020 – 18 August 2020 to get tested for COVID-19 and isolate until a negative test result is received.
Genomic sequencing of the virus from cases in this cluster are related to other recent clusters in NSW. This virus is genetically different to that of the Marriott Hotel security guard, who had a strain that had come from overseas.
All identified close contacts of cases linked to this cluster are being contacted and told they must isolate for 14 days, get tested, get another test if any symptoms develop and stay isolated for the full 14 days, even if a negative test result is received within this period.
Among the new cases today, two are household contacts of cases linked to Liverpool Hospital.
Prior to diagnosis many of the recently confirmed cases have attended a variety of locations and a full list of locations is available on the link below.
New COVID-19 cases have visited the following locations in Mosman, St Ives and Rosebery and people attending at the same time must monitor for symptoms, get tested immediately if they develop and stay isolated until a negative test result is received:
NSW Health is treating 67 COVID-19 cases, including six in intensive care and four who are ventilated. 85 per cent of cases being treated by NSW Health are in non-acute, out-of-hospital care.
Due to the widening spread of the CBD cluster across multiple locations in the Sydney and Central Coast, NSW Health is strongly advising people who live or work in these areas to not visit aged care facilities at this time. This is a precaution while the cluster is investigated, cases are identified and isolated and contact tracing is done. NSW Health will continue to closely monitor the number and location of cases in Sydney and the Central Coast and will adjust the advice regarding visitor restrictions on aged care facilities according to the level of local risk. NSW Health will provide an update during the next week.
COVID-19 continues to circulate in the community and we must all be vigilant. It is vital that people get a test as soon as they develop symptoms. People should ensure that they stay at least 1.5m from others and that they wear a mask in situations - especially on public transport - where physical distancing is difficult.
Locations linked to known cases, advice on testing and isolation, and areas identified for increased testing can be found at COVID-19 testing clinics is available or people can visit their GP.
Counts reported for a particular day may vary over time with ongoing enhanced surveillance activities.
Watch the video update.