Fears boat party an Omicron superspreader as NSW Covid numbers announced

There are fears of a superspreader event after health authorities confirmed three cases of Omicron at a wild boat party on Sydney Harbour.

A Sydney boat party could become the city’s next superspreader event after health authorities confirmed three Omicron cases had come from the ’90s-themed harbour cruise.

NSW Health confirmed that three cases of Omicron reported on Thursday were from people who attended the Flow Fridays – 90s Themed Boat Party on Friday, December 3.

Five revellers have tested positive to Covid-19, with NSW Health confirming it is expecting more Omicron cases.

More than 100 have now been forced into isolation.

NSW recorded another spike in Covid-19 infections on Friday, with 516 new cases and no new deaths from 90,223 tests.

There are now 158 people in hospital, including 24 in ICU.

A Sydney boat party could become the city’s next superspreader event. Picture: Nine News

Of the population aged over 16, 94.7 per cent have had one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, while 93 per cent are fully vaccinated.

For those aged between 12-15, 81.4 per cent have had one vaccination, while 77.5 per cent have had both doses.

Meanwhile, dozens of patrons at Petersham’s Oxford Tavern have also been warned of another possible superspreading event after 44 people tested positive to the virus after attending a trivia night on Tuesday.

Sydney Local Health District urged anyone who attended to get tested and isolate until results were received.

“If you have not been fully vaccinated, please remain in isolation until December 12 and have another test on this date,” a statement read.

“If you are fully vaccinated, you can come out of isolation if you’ve had a negative test on or after December 6, but please have another test on December 12.”

It is not yet known whether anyone has contracted the Omicron variant.

NSW Health said it was concerned about the “increased transmission taking place in larger social venues” such as pubs, clubs and party settings.

“This includes recent outbreaks associated with the Golden Sheaf Hotel at Double Bay, the Oxford Tavern at Petersham and the Albion Hotel at Parramatta,” a statement said.

“The transmission in these types of settings is contributing to the increase in cases in NSW and we urge people not to attend social functions if they have any symptoms, even if mild.”

“NSW Health also strongly encourages people to wear a mask in situations where you cannot physically distance, especially indoors.”

None of NSW’s Omicron cases have been admitted to hospital.

People queue for testing in Sydney’s eastern suburbs after more cases were confirmed. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

A second venue of concern in Byron Bay was announced on Thursday after a positive case visited Woody’s Surf Shack four nights last week during Schoolies events.

The positive case visited the venue on November 30 and December 1 to December 4 for multiple hours each night.

The Coorabell Hall has also been named a venue of concern, with authorities urging anyone classified as a close contact to be tested immediately.

Thousands of NSW schoolies have descended on the coastal town for a second week, prompting the urgent warnings from health officials to get tested for the virus.

There are now 42 confirmed cases of the Omicron variant in NSW after eight were reported on Thursday.

Across the state 151 infected people are in hospital, with 25 in intensive care.

Originally published as Fears boat party an Omicron superspreader as NSW Covid numbers announced