Seven of the brand new circumstances are straight linked to the Avalon cluster and the eighth is a healthcare employee from western Sydney who’s concerned within the switch of sufferers from the worldwide airport.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian is ready to disclose on Wednesday whether or not the Northern Seashores have been profitable sufficient in containing the outbreak, which is able to then permit them to have restrictions eased for Christmas.
Residents have been praised for his or her response, with majority abiding lockdown circumstances and setting information for testing, hitting 100,000 COVID-19 swabs on Tuesday.
Testing is underway to determine the place precisely the healthcare employee who examined optimistic contracted the virus.
“This case has transported a number of sufferers however we now have recognized that additionally they have transferred optimistic COVID circumstances,” Chief Well being Officer Dr Kerry Chant stated.
“We’re clearly doing pressing genome sequencing to substantiate that that’s the supply of their an infection and people outcomes will likely be obtainable later right this moment.”
An in depth contact of the employee additionally examined optimistic to the virus final night time, Dr Chant stated.
“An in depth office contact of this healthcare employee has come again optimistic because the 8pm figures and that will likely be included within the depend for tomorrow.”
State well being authorities have issued alerts for greater than 50 new venues the place a optimistic case might have attended whereas probably infectious and Dr Chant requested the group to maintain updated with warnings.
“We’re taking a really low threshold for itemizing these venues so please preserve alert and share that info with your folks as effectively,” she stated.
Venues outdoors the Northern Seashores on alert
NSW Well being is focusing their consideration on various venues outdoors the Northern Seashores space the place group transmission might have occurred.
One of many venues of concern is the Rose of Australia resort in Erskineville the place one patron dined from 7pm to 9pm on December 15 whereas infectious.
One other diner examined optimistic on Sunday.
“We imagine there was transmission from the primary particular person to the brand new case on the venue as they had been each diners there on the identical time,” Dr Chant stated.
The second case was a part of a piece dinner and all attendees at that dinner are being examined.
“We’re additionally investigating how the contact between the primary and second particular person occurred as a result of that is informal contact between these,” Dr Chant stated.
“However I might urge anybody who has been there (to) be self-isolating.”
The Paddington Alimentari deli and café in Hopetoun Avenue in Paddington can also be on alert following the analysis of COVID-19 in a workers member.
All patrons who dined on the venue from December 17 to 19 are thought-about shut contacts of a case and will get examined for COVID-19 instantly and isolate for 14 days from their go to no matter a detrimental check consequence.
A optimistic case has additionally been recognized after they visited a Bodyfit Health club on 27 Sackville Avenue in Blacktown on December 16 from 7am to 8am, December 17 from 7am to 8am and December 18 from 7am to 8am.
Traces of coronavirus have additionally been detected at a therapy plant at Hornsby Heights on December 19 from the sewerage system that drains elements of Berowra, Cowan, Berowra Heights, Hornsby Heights, Mount Colah, Mount Ku-ring-gai, Asquith and a small a part of Hornsby.
Well being authorities are conscious of two optimistic COVID-19 circumstances within the space who’re linked to the Avalon cluster however individuals within the space have been suggested to observe intently for signs.
There was a report of greater than 44,000 checks up to now 24 hours.
“That could be a report we didn’t count on and I really feel so proud and deeply grateful that folks have responded not simply within the Northern Seashores group, however all through Sydney and all through all of New South Wales and that is precisely what we would like and what we have to see proceed,” NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian stated.
Testing clinics in hotspot areas, significantly on the Northern Seashores, have been inundated with individuals coming ahead for testing, with many enduring a 3 or four-hour wait time.
‘Don’t depend on a check consequence’
Dr Chant urged anybody who has been instructed to isolate for 14 days to take action no matter whether or not they return a detrimental check.
“Can I simply say clearly, please don’t depend on a check consequence,” she stated.
“If you’re a detailed contact, a check consequence right this moment doesn’t imply what you might be this afternoon or what you’re the subsequent day.
“In case you have been instructed to isolate for the 14 days, please achieve this.”