NSW recorded eight locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night, and an additional 10 cases in returned travellers in hotel quarantine.
Seven of the locally acquired cases are linked to the Avalon cluster and one remains under investigation.
Investigations continue into the source of the Avalon cluster, which now numbers 90. Two more cases are residents of the northern area of the Northern Beaches.
The total number of cases in NSW is 4,600 since the beginning of the pandemic.
There were a record 44,466 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with 38,578 in the previous 24 hours, which was also a record.
NSW Health thanks the community for their excellent response in coming forward for testing and following public health advice.
We urge people to continue to get tested as soon as even the mildest symptoms appear, as this is vital to helping us to contain the virus by stopping community transmission.
Of the 18 new cases to 8pm last night:
- Eight cases are locally acquired, and of these
- Seven cases are linked to the Avalon cluster
- One case remains under investigation
- Ten cases were acquired overseas and are in hotel quarantine.
The case under investigation is a healthcare worker from western Sydney who is involved in the transfer of patients.
This case was involved in transporting several patients between hospitals, homes and care facilities.
Those patients and other contacts are being urgently contacted, instructed to isolate and tested. Investigations into the source of the case are ongoing.
An additional case linked to this healthcare professional has been identified since 8pm last night and will be included in tomorrow’s numbers.
A Victorian resident who had been holidaying in the Northern Beaches has also tested positive. This case, which is not included in the NSW numbers, presented for testing in Victoria on 20 December and the positive result was received on 21 December.
They have been isolating since their return to Victoria. The family members of this case in Sydney are all in isolation and have tested negative to date.
NSW Health is calling on people in Sydney’s Upper North Shore to come forward for testing if they have even the mildest COVID-19 symptoms, after the state’s sewage surveillance program detected traces of the virus at a treatment plant in Hornsby Heights.
Fragments of the virus that causes COVID-19 have been detected in samples taken on Saturday December 19 from the sewerage system that drains parts of Berowra, Cowan, Berowra Heights, Hornsby Heights, Mount Colah, Mount Kuring-Gai, Asquith and Hornsby.
NSW Health is aware of two recent COVID-19 positive cases in the area which are linked to the Avalon cluster, but as a precaution we continue to ask the community to be alert and present for testing.
COVID-19 cases linked to the Avalon cluster have visited many locations across Sydney. A full list of locations and public transport routes, and the associated public health advice, is available from the NSW Government website at nsw.gov.au/covid-19/lates….
NSW Health is treating 93 COVID-19 cases, none of whom are in intensive care. Most cases (97 per cent) are being treated in non-acute, out-of-hospital care, including returned travellers in the Special Health Accommodation.
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NSW Health has been notified of a number of new and updated venues visited by confirmed cases of COVID-19.
Anyone who attended the following venues at the following times is considered a close contact, and must immediately...
...get tested and isolate for 14 days, regardless of whether a negative result is received:
-Alma Avalon Restaurant, 47 Old Barrenjoey Rd, Avalon Beach: Wednesday 16 December, 8.30pm until close
-Premier Academy League Under 8s Macquarie University Soccer Fields, Macquarie University Soccer Fields, Macquarie Park: Sunday 13 December, 9.15am – 10.45am
-Mona Vale Fitness First, Pittwater Place Shopping Centre, 10 Park St, Mona Vale: Thursday 17 December, all day
.@NSWHealth is aware of #COVID19 scam text messages asking for donations or confirming positive COVID-19 test results. NSW Health is also aware of a scam asking for donations for @BreastScreenNSW. BreastScreen NSW is a part of NSW Health.
NSW Health will never seek donations or notify people of positive COVID-19 results by text message. If you test positive for COVID-19 you will get a phone call from NSW Health as a priority and told what to do next.
You might be contacted from a private number so please pick up private calls when waiting to hear back about test results. If you think you have received a scam text, please report it online at crimestoppers.com.au or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 (24/7).
NSW Health has been notified of a number of new and updated venues visited by confirmed cases of COVID-19.
Anyone who attended the following venues at the following times is considered a close contact, and must immediately get tested and isolate for 14 days, regardless of whether a negative result is received:
- Paddington - Paddington Alimentari, 2 Hopetoun St, Paddington: Thursday 17 December 5.30am-6pm, Friday 18 December 5.30am-6pm, Saturday, 18 December 5.30am-6pm
As reported by NSW Health earlier today, a Victorian resident who had been holidaying in the Northern Beaches has tested positive for COVID-19.
The website will be updated with these case locations shortly.
This case, which is not included in the NSW numbers, presented for testing in Victoria on 20 December and the positive result was received on 21 December. They have been isolating since their return to Victoria.
The family members of this case in Sydney are all in isolation and have tested negative to date.
This case visited Oliver’s Real Food, 31 Annie Pyers Drive, Gundagai on Friday 18 December, 5.30pm – 6.05pm.
NSW Health has been notified of a number of new venues visited by confirmed cases of COVID-19, and updated exposure times for previously announced venues.
Anyone who attended any of the following venues at the times specified is considered a close contact and must get tested immediately and isolate for 14 days regardless of the result:
-Cortex Gym – Strength and Conditioning Class, 1 Bowden Street, Alexandria: Tuesday, 15 December
Please note: this venue has been updated from casual to close contact.
NSW Health has been notified of new venues on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, and expanded exposure times for previously announced venues, which have been visited by confirmed cases of COVID-19.
Anyone who was at the following venues on the dates and times below is a close contact, and should get tested immediately and self-isolate for 14 days regardless of the result:
Anyone who was at the following venues on the dates and times below should get tested immediately and self-isolate until NSW Health provides further information: