NewsColony
New South Wales records another four coronavirus infections linked to a worrying mystery cluster
Four new coronavirus cases have popped up in Sydney’s south-west, sparking fears of a mystery cluster as health officials scramble to find a source.
Another case was found in hotel quarantine, bringing Thursday’s total to five.
Two of the local cases are understood to be pupils of Malek Fahd Islamic School in Hoxton Park, Australia’s biggest Islamic school.
The school is being deep cleaned, and will be closed for two weeks.
NSW has recorded five new cases of coronavirus on Thursday including four locally acquired cases (pictured, health care workers at the Rushcutters Bay coronavirus pop up testing centre)
Staff and students at the school were told to self-isolate on Wednesday after the first positive case was found at the school.
The other Malek Fahd campuses in Beaumont Hills and Greenacre are running as per usual.
Principal Bruce Rixon said neither of the school’s other two campuses in Greenacre and Beaumont Halls have been affected.
‘NSW Health has requested anyone who has been unwell or if you develop any symptoms to be tested at one of the Covid-19 testing clinics,’ Mr Rixon said.
Two of the new local cases are from the Malek Fahd Islamic School in Hoxton Park (pictured)
Customers and staff wearing face masks outside the Apple Store on George Street (pictured, on October 26, amid rising community infections of COVID-19
Authorities said the source of the new cluster is still being investigated, but are all close or household contacts.
The new cases come after NSW Health issued a serious alert for several venues across Sydney.
Bondi Junction, one of Australia’s biggest Westfield shopping centres, was put on alert on Wednesday after a confirmed case visited for three hours.
Anyone who attended Westfield Bondi Junction, in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, on October 24 between 1.30pm and 4.30pm must monitor for symptoms.
Anyone who attended Westfield Bondi Junction (pictured), in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, on October 24 between 1.30pm and 4.30pm must monitor for symptoms
Meanwhile venues in Sydney’s west have also been put on high alert, including Flip Out Prestons Indoor Trampoline Park and Jasmins Lebanese Restaurant in Liverpool.
The hours for the trampoline park are between 12pm and 1.50pm on October 25, while a positive case was at the restaurant on Sunday between 2pm and 3.30pm.
Anyone who visited the trampoline park or restaurant for more than an hour must immediately isolate for 14 days regardless of their test result.
NSW Health has warned attendees of three other venues to get tested if they experience COVID-19 symptoms:
- Watsup Brothers kebab shop, Condell Park, between 5.30pm and 6pm on October 24
- Ali Baba Charcoal Chicken in Auburn, between 1pm and 1.20pm on October 26
- Carnes Hill Marketplace between 3.30pm and 4.30pm on Tuesday October 27
Venues on high alert include Flip Out Prestons Indoor Trampoline Park and Jasmins Lebanese Restaurant (pictured) in Liverpool
The hours for the trampoline park (pictured, lot where Flip Out is based) are between 12pm and 1.50pm on October 25, while a positive case was at the restaurant on Sunday between 2pm and 3.30pm.
Local Liberal MP Melanie Gibbons issued a statement saying the outbreak was concerning.
‘We are all starting to feel more comfortable but it’s still important to remember your 1.5m social distancing and hand washing/sanitising – and to get tested ASAP and stay home if you feel unwell,’ Ms Gibbons wrote.
Health authorities on Wednesday said NSW had entered a critical period in its fight against coronavirus, with concerns about low COVID-19 testing rates, undetected cases and people dropping their guard as the festive season approaches.
Test numbers have dropped significantly in recent weeks, with 14,230 coronavirus tests done in the 24 hour reporting period.
‘As we go into Christmas we know that people are going to be welcoming people into their homes … and household celebrations (and that will) present challenges for COVID transmission,’ Chief Medical Officer Kerry Chant said.
Despite low case numbers NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian urged people not to become complacent.
Despite low case numbers NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian (pictured) urged people not to become complacent
‘We want to make sure we get on top of this before we get into a season where people are more mobile and obviously in closer contact with each other,’ she said.
‘It’s really difficult not to let your guard down because it’s easy to think that we’re immune and the case numbers are low … (but) the virus is as contagious as ever, as dangerous as ever and it remains undetected in the community.’
She urged all businesses to get the QR code to electronically track any visitors to their venue ahead of the Christmas season.
NSW Health is treating 75 COVID-19 cases, with one patient being ventilated in intensive care.
Earlier on Wednesday, people in west, south west and north west Sydney were urged to monitor for symptoms after detection of the virus in sewage samples could mean the presence of known cases of COVID-19 diagnosed in recent weeks.
There are guidelines on the NSW Health website on how to participate safely in Halloween on Saturday, including using wrapped lollies, mask-wearing and maintaining social distancing.
Source: Daily Mail Australia | World News
The post New South Wales records another four coronavirus infections linked to a worrying mystery cluster appeared first on NewsColony.
NewsColony
source https://newscolony.com/new-south-wales-records-another-four-coronavirus-infections-linked-to-a-worrying-mystery-cluster/
Comments
Post a Comment