NSW Health was notified late last night of a new case of COVID-19 in a person who works at a Sydney hotel complex which provides hotel quarantine for returned travellers. This case will be included in tomorrow’s numbers.

NSW recorded no new cases of locally acquired COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night. Nine cases were reported in overseas travellers. This brings the total number of cases in NSW to 4,408 since the start of the pandemic.

There were 13,306 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with 13,237 in the previous 24 hours.

NSW Health is treating 75 COVID-19 cases, none of whom are in intensive care. Most cases, 95 per cent, are being treated in non-acute, out-of-hospital care, including returned travellers in Special Health Accommodation.

The source of the case notified late last night is under investigation. Urgent genome sequencing is underway to determine whether this is an infection acquired in the community or through work at the hotel quarantine facility. These results are expected in the next 24 to 48 hours.

Five household contacts of the case were identified and all have tested negative for COVID-19. They will self-isolate for 14 days.

Staff who worked at the hotel complex whilst the case was potentially infectious are asked to get tested and self-isolate until updated advice is received from NSW Health.

The affected hotel shifts are:

• Ibis Hotel Darling Harbour Friday 27 November 2020
• Novotel Sydney on Darling Harbour Saturday 28, Sunday 29, Monday 30 November 2020.

As a precaution, NSW Health is also conducting wider testing of staff at the hotel complex.

The person, who lives in south-western Sydney, travelled on the train from Minto to Lidcombe and Central and on the Light Rail from Central to Darling Harbour on a number of occasions whilst potentially infectious. NSW Health will be asking people who travelled on the below services at the following periods to get tested immediately and self-isolate, until further advised by NSW Health:

Light Rail:

• Friday 27 November Convention to Central at 4:01pm – 4.11pm
• Saturday 28 November Convention to Central at 3:14pm – 3.29pm
• Sunday 29 November Convention to Capitol Square 3:58pm – 4.09pm
• Sunday 29 November Capitol Square to Central 4.55pm – 5.03pm
• Monday 30 November Central to Convention 06:39am – 6.54am
• Monday 30 November Convention to Central 3.10pm – 3.26pm

Train:

• Friday 27 November Minto to Lidcombe 04:55am – 5:52am
• Friday 27 November Central to Lidcombe 4.12pm – 4.49pm
• Saturday 28 November Central to Lidcombe 3.31pm – 4.32pm
• Sunday 29 November Central to Lidcombe 5.05pm – 5.44pm
• Monday 30 November Lidcombe to Central 06:14am – 06:37am
• Monday 30 November Central to Minto 3.28pm – 4.20pm

NSW Health issued an alert last night regarding a sewage detection in the Riverstone catchment. This case does not reside in that catchment.

Fragments of the virus that causes COVID-19 have been detected in samples taken on Sunday 29 November from the sewerage system that drains parts of Riverstone, Vineyard, Marsden Park, Shanes Park, Quakers Hill, Oakville, Box Hill, The Ponds, Rouse Hill, Nelson, Schofields and Colebee.

Detection of the virus in sewage samples could reflect the presence of known cases of COVID-19 diagnosed in recent weeks in the area served by this sewage treatment plant. However, NSW Health is concerned there could be other active cases in the local community in people who have not been tested and who might incorrectly assume their symptoms are just a cold.

There are more than 300 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW. To find your nearest clinic visit COVID-19 testing clinics or contact your GP.

NSW Health is treating 76 COVID-19 cases, none of whom are in intensive care. Most cases, 96 per cent, are being treated in non-acute, out-of-hospital care, including returned travellers in Special Health Accommodation.

To help stop the spread of COVID-19:

• If you are unwell, get tested and isolate right away – don’t delay.
• Wash your hands regularly. Take hand sanitiser with you when you go out.
• Keep your distance. Leave 1.5 metres between yourself and others.
• Wear a mask when using public transport, rideshares and taxis, and in shops, places of worship and other places where you can’t physically distance. When taking taxis or rideshares, commuters should also sit in the back.

Likely source of confirmed COVID-19 cases in NSW

Note Case counts reported for a particular day may vary over time due to ongoing investigations and case review.

*notified from 8pm 1 December 2020 to 8pm 2 December 2020
**from 8pm 1 December 2020 to 8pm 2 December 2020

Returned travellers in hotel quarantine to date