16 December 2020

NSW Health was notified this morning of a new case of COVID-19 in a person who works at Sydney Ground Transport, Alexandria, which provides transport for aircrew from the airport to their hotel. This case will be included in tomorrow’s numbers.

The source of the case remains under investigation. Urgent genome sequencing is underway. Testing of close contacts of the case is also urgently underway.

Sydney Ground Transport, Alexandria has been very cooperative. They have temporarily ceased operations while investigations and cleaning are underway.

Further advice will be provided should any additional information about community risks be identified.

NSW recorded no new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.

Seven cases were reported in overseas travellers. This brings the total number of cases in NSW since the start of the pandemic to 4,468.

CasesCount
Confirmed cases (including interstate residents in NSW health care facilities)4,468
Deaths (in NSW from confirmed cases)55
Total tests carried out3,634,049

NSW Health is treating 68 COVID-19 cases, with one person in intensive care. Most cases (94 per cent) are being treated in non-acute, out-of-hospital care, including returned travellers in the Special Health Accommodation.

There were 11,922 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with 5,333 in the previous 24 hours.

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.

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

Likely source of infectionCases past 24 hours*Cases past 7 days**All cases
Overseas 7362,508
Interstate 0090
Locally acquired – linked to known case or cluster 001,437
Locally acquired – no links to known case or cluster00433
Locally acquired – investigation ongoing 000
Under initial investigation000
Total7364,468

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

* notified from 8pm 14 December 2020 to 8pm 15 December 2020

** from 8pm 9 December 2020 to 8pm 15 December 2020

Returned travellers in hotel quarantine to date

Since 29 March 2020Count
Symptomatic travellers tested 7,942
Found positive 166

Since 30 June 2020Count
Asymptomatic travellers screened at day 258,441
Found positive336

Since 15 May 2020Count
Asymptomatic travellers screened at day 1070,362
Found positive163

Today's press conference will be uploaded to press conferences.