New South Wales has recorded 31 new local cases of COVID-19, 13 of which were infectious while out in the community. Twenty-seven new cases uncovered in the 24 hours to 8 pm Thursday are linked to previous infections, and 17 are household contacts.
Four of the new cases remain under investigation.
Only 11 of the 31 new cases were in isolation during their infectious period.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she was “relieved” the case numbers were not higher but stressed the next few days would be “critical”.
“This pretty much reflects the days just before and the day when we went into lockdown,” she said.
“We are anticipating an increase in numbers over the next few days, then, hopefully early next week, we should see the impact of the lockdown turning and having a positive impact.”
Nine cases are linked to the student nurse at Sydney’s Royal North Shore Hospital and Fairfield Hospital, bringing that cluster to 10.
Five in the cluster are healthcare or aged care workers; four worked while infectious. Contact inpatients and staff at the facilities have been identified and tested. NSW Health on Friday afternoon issued a new close contact alert for Coles at Bondi Junction’s Eastgate Shopping Centre.
Anyone at the supermarket between 2 pm and 7 pm on Tuesday and between 5.30 pm and 6.30 pm on Wednesday must get tested and isolated for 14 days.
Shoppers at certain times last Saturday will be casual contacts.
The alert follows warnings for potential exposure sites, including the T2 domestic terminal at Sydney Airport, the Des Renford Swimming Pool at Maroubra in Sydney’s east, and Club Marconi at Bossley Park in the west.
A complete list of all NSW exposure sites can be found here.
73,602 people came forward for testing 24 hours to 8 pm Thursday, compared with 59,941 the day before. NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said high testing rates would be vital to securing a swift end to Greater Sydney’s lockdown.
“We have had a sustained testing level that we have never seen before in the state,” Dr. Chant said.
“I think the community response has been amazing, but we cannot get fatigued – we have to continue to track down any signs of infection in the community.” NSW had recorded 226 locally acquired infections since 16 June, when the Sydney eastern suburbs airport driver tested positive for the virus. The state is treating 172 active cases, with three people in intensive care – none on ventilators.
