New South Wales recorded eight new locally-acquired COVID-19 cases on Sunday as a drastic fall in testing numbers raises concern among health authorities.
Five cases are linked to the growing cluster associated with a BWS bottle shop in Berala, in Western Sydney.
Two of Sunday’s cases are household contacts of the Avalon cluster, which now stands at 148, and one is a household contact of a known source in Wollongong.
Three other cases were detected in hotel quarantined travellers, out of 18,927 tests in the 24 hours to 8pm on Saturday night.
Acting NSW Premier John Barilaro said testing rates have dramatically plunged, and urged all residents to get tested even if they have only mild symptoms.
Two of the cases are household contacts of the Avalon cluster, five are linked to the western Sydney Berala cluster and one is a household contact of a known source in Wollongong
From 11.59pm Saturday, masks became mandatory in shopping centres, on public transport, in places of worship, hair and beauty premises and entertainment venues such as cinemas
‘We do need to increase that number of testing,’ he told reporters on Sunday.
‘The success of this state has come off the back of the large number of testing that’s been happening right across the state.
‘Even though we are thankful for the 18,927 that came forward, we want to see those numbers get up, close to 20, 30,000 people.’
From 11.59pm Saturday, masks became mandatory in shopping centres, on public transport, in places of worship, hair and beauty premises and entertainment venues such as cinemas.
All hospitality staff are also required to wear one, with anyone disobeying the health order to be fined $200 from Monday.
Children under 12 and those with specific health disorders are exempt but are encouraged to wear masks where possible.
On Saturday evening, NSW Health ramped up its alert for the Berala bottle shop, with many of its customers of the Christmas holiday period now considered to be close contacts.
The alert for the BWS now covers long periods on every day between December 22 and New Year’s Eve, except Christmas Day.
Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said anyone who attended the BWS at at those times should get tested immediately and isolate for 14 days regardless of the test result.
On Saturday evening, NSW Health ramped up its alert for the Berala bottle shop, with many of its customers of the Christmas holiday period now considered to be close contacts
The alert for the BWS now covers long periods on every day between December 22 and New Year’s Eve, except Christmas Day
‘We know these transmission events have happened through very minimal exposure, we are asking members of the community who did purchase alcohol or enter that premises for that period to be very vigilant and take the public health action of isolating for 14 days if you were there at those times,’ Dr Chant said on Sunday.
‘Anyone living in the Berala area has also been asked to come forward for testing if they develop any symptoms associated with COVID-19.’
More than 2000 people connected to the BWS store have been contacted and told to get tested and isolate.
‘I know it was a busy period, but we are very concerned that transmission has occurred at this site and it is important because the duration of time means that someone who has previously been there could have actually transmitted it to another group of people,’ Dr Chant said.
Stay-at-home orders will continue for residents north of the Narrabeen Bridge in the northern beaches until at least January 9, while people in the southern half of the region will have the same restrictions as the rest of greater Sydney.
Restrictions imposed on businesses and gatherings include gym classes reduced to 30 people and places of worship and funerals limited to one person per four square metres, and up to a maximum of 100 people per separate area.
Outdoor performances and protests are reduced to 500 people and controlled outdoor seated events reduced to 2000.
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