NSW Covid: First Omicron death as PCR testing clinics turn people away

NSW has recorded its first death from the Omicron variant as Covid testing clinics at capacity were forced to turn people away on Monday. See video here.

NSW has recorded its first death from the Omicron variant as frustrated crowds were turned away from Covid testing centres across NSW.

A man in his 80s, who was a resident at an aged care centre in North Parramatta, died overnight. He was fully vaccinated but had underlying health conditions, NSW Health said.

“This is the first known death in NSW linked to the Omicron variant of concern,” NSW Health wrote in a statement.

his infection. He had received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine and had underlying health conditions. This is the first known death in NSW linked to the Omicron variant of concern. A woman in her 90s from the Central Coast died at Wyong Hospital. She had received two doses of a

— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) December 27, 2021

It comes as Covid testing sites have been forced to turn people away as massive queues continued to plague PCR clinics on Monday.

Liverpool Hospital and Barden Ridge drive-through PCR clinic reached capacity by mid-morning and were reportedly turning people away.

Drivers were queued at the Bondi testing clinic before it opened on Monday. Picture: John Grainger

The Covid testing queue at 4Cyte Pathology at Ultimo. Picture: Richard Dobson

Meanwhile, it’s understood the Liverpool Hospital testing clinic was also at capacity.

Dozens of drivers were seen queuing at Bondi Beach’s drive-through testing clinic just after sunrise on Monday, despite the clinic not opening until 8.30am.

Police were turning away people at Warringah Aquatic Centre’s drive through clinic, while in the eastern suburbs queues for the Rose Bay drive-through site spanned longer than 2km, clogging up New South Head Rd all the way into Point Piper by 8am.

Testing clinics in Frenchs Forest, Marsden Park, Macquarie Park, Mona Vale, North Parramatta, Granville and Roselands also have extensive queues, according to the Traffic Management Centre.

The Covid testing site at Sutherland Hospital on Monday morning. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Traffic is heavy in surrounding streets, buses are diverting away from queues and motorists are encouraged to stay away.

NSW Police are helping health officials with traffic control at dozens of testing sites, and asked motorists to be patient.

NSW Health is advising the community to only attend a COVID-19 testing clinic if you have symptoms or have been directed...

Posted by NSW Police Force on Sunday, December 26, 2021

“A number of sites have already closed this morning due to overwhelming demand, which is expected to continue over the coming days,” police said in a statement.

“If you are on the road near a testing facility, please be patient and respectful of other road users, and follow the directions of police on scene.”

Some clinics didn’t open at all on Monday due to the Christmas public holiday.

Private testing clinics including 4Cyte’s Campbelltown site at Western Sydney University and the Douglass Hanly Moir site on Memorial Ave, Liverpool were shut completely, as were St Vincent’s Hospital clinics at Rushcutters Bay Park and East Sydney Arts Centre.

Outside Sydney, Blue Mountains locals reported being turned away from testing sites in Winmalee, while sites in Katoomba were closed.

Residents in Maitland and Coffs Harbour also reported long queues and closed testing sites.

NSW recorded 6324 new Covid cases and three more deaths on Monday, including the man in his 80s who died of Omicron.

A Central Coast woman in her 90s and a man from Sydney’s Inner West in his 80s also died overnight with the Delta strain of Covid. NSW Health said 521 people were hospitalised with Covid on Monday and 55 patients were in ICU.

About 95 per cent of eligible people over 16 have had one vaccine dose, while 93.5 per cent are fully vaccinated.

Covid testing queues along New South Head Road at Rosebay on Monday. Picture: John Grainger

Monday’s new infections dipped slightly from Sunday’s figures, where a record 6394 cases were identified.

But testing numbers dipped too, with only 97,241 people tested to the last 24 hours compared with 109,545 on Christmas Day and 149,261 on Christmas Eve.

It comes as wait times for PCR testing continued to blow out on Monday with some people waiting up to two hours before sites opened to get in line for a test.

Dozens of drivers were seen queuing at Bondi Beach’s drive-through testing clinic just after sunrise on Monday, despite the clinic not opening until 8.30am.

A number of Covid restrictions have now been reinstated with density limits at pubs, clubs, restaurants and cafes reverting back to the one person per two square metres rule indoors from December 27.

There are no limits in place for outdoor spaces like dining areas and beer gardens.

NSW has reintroduced QR code check-ins. Picture / Monique Harmer

QR check-in codes returned on December 24, but visitors to large shopping centres are only required to sign in at the entry rather than every single shop.

It comes as masks became mandatory again in all public indoor spaces from Christmas Eve, just a week after restrictions were wound back on December 15.

The three new rules will be in place until at least January 27, according to officials.

All you need to know about current Covid situation

TESTING
NSW has more than 300 testing locations with reports of four hour queues. The average waiting time for results is between 48-72 hours.
“If you don’t need a test, please don’t sit in those queues, that is taking the place of somebody who is unwell,” said premier Dom Perrottet.

What do you do if you have a positive rapid antigen test?
If the rapid test is positive, you should get a PCR test as soon as possible and isolate until a negative PCR result.

What do you do if your PCR test is positive?
- Isolate for at least 10 days and inform your household, employer, place of education and any other people you met from two days before you became sick or got tested.
- If you are younger than 50, fully vaccinated, do not have any chronic conditions or are pregnant, you can self-manage Covid-19.
- If you still have no symptoms for 72 hours, 10 days after your positive test, you can leave isolation. 

BOOSTERS
You can get a booster through your GP, at a NSW Health vaccination hub, or through a pharmacy.
From January 4, you can get a booster four months after your second dose.
After January 31, you can get a booster three months after your second dose.

REQUIREMENTS
QR codes will be mandatory in most settings including retail and hospitality from December 27.
For shopping centres, you only need to check into the centre and not each individual retailer.

CONTACT RULES
You’re a close contact if you live with a positive case or have spent four or more hours with a positive case.
You need to isolate for seven days and get a PCR test straight away and again on day six. If negative, you feel well and haven’t had further contact with a positive case – you can leave isolation. For the next seven days, work from home where possible and don’t go to hospitals, aged care, disability care or prisons even if you work there. Get tested again on day 12.

EVENTS
No restrictions on New Year’s Eve events - “take personal responsibility, socially distance, follow the rules,” says Perrottet.
Density limits have been introduced in hospitality so some restaurants will be cancelling bookings. 

TRAVEL
What each state’s travel requirements are now:

Queensland
- Must have entry pass
- Must be fully vaccinated and have a negative PCR result within 72 hours before arrival
- This will be reviewed on January 1 but no changes are promised.

Victoria
- No permit needed regardless of vaccination status unless you have been overseas in the past 14 days

SA
- Apply through EntryCheck SA
- No PCR test required but need to take a rapid antigen test with a negative result

Tasmania
· Register through the Tas e-Travel system
· Unvaccinated travellers must obtain approval to enter Tasmania and have a negative PCR test within 72 prior to arrival
· Any traveller who has spent time in a high-risk area in NSW must apply for approval to enter Tasmania

WA
· Must obtain a G2G Pass, undertake 14 days quarantine and receive a negative PCR test within 72 hours prior to arrival 
· All travellers must also be fully vaccinated and undertake Covid tests on day one, five and 12

NT
· Travellers must complete a Border Entry Form and receive a negative PCR test within 72 prior to arrival
· must then test negative within 72 hours after arriving and on day six

ACT
· No permit requirement unless you are a close contact. Close contacts can apply for an exemption

Shoppers must be masked in indoor areas. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard on Sunday warned everyone would probably catch Omicron eventually.

“Bottom line here is that we would expect that pretty well everybody in NSW at some point will get Omicron,” Mr Hazzard said on Sunday.

“We’re all going to get Omicron, and if we’re all going to get Omicron, the best way to face it is when we have full vaccination including our booster.”