Positive Covid cases attend Newcastle’s Cambridge Hotel

Multiple positive Covid cases attended Newcastle’s Cambridge Hotel at the same time last Friday night, leading to NSW Health putting out a fresh alert.

NSW’s Covid ground zero has been hit again with multiple cases visiting another pub in the city of Newcastle.

Health authority issued a warning on Wednesday night for anyone who had attended The Cambridge Hotel in Newcastle between 6.30pm on Friday and 2.30am on Saturday to get tested and isolate for 7 days after multiple positive Covid cases had attended at the same time.

NSW Health clarified that some of these confirmed cases had the more contagious Omicron variant.

All household contacts of close contacts should also be tested and self-isolate until a negative result is received by everyone in the household.

The Cambridge Hotel in Newcastle. Picture: Google Maps

Hundreds of people in Newcastle are already in lockdown after the virus broke out of a Sydney Harbour party cruise on December 3 and spread to almost 200 from The Argyle House pub Wednesday December 8.

This outbreak also struck people who went to Finnegan’s Hotel in Newcastle on Friday December 10.

As of Tuesday night 437 people have tested positive for Covid in the Newcastle local government in the past four weeks.

HEALTH MINISTER’S SHOCK PREDICTION

The NSW Health Minister has made a shock claim, saying new modelling shows the state could have 25,000 daily Covid cases by the end of January.

Brad Hazzard said on Wednesday that the infectious rate of the Omicron variant was at 1.5, driving daily case numbers to “double every two to three days”.

He warned that according to “simple maths”, daily infection numbers could continue to rise exponentially, reaching the tens of thousands by January.

“The one thing that would appear to be likely with the Omicron variant is the vaccine is not stopping transmission, the transmission appears to be quite high, we’ve seen it happening in Newcastle,” Mr Hazzard said.

“It may well be spreading across NSW as we stand here talking about it … the reproductive rate is concerning.”

Long lines of cars are seen at the Covid testing clinic at Bondi this morning. Picture: Jenny Evans/Getty Images

He added: “What (health experts) are telling us is that by the end of January, we could be looking at 25,000 cases of the virus every single day, so that takes us to about 175,000 a week … that’s a ig difference from 1,360 today, which already is a cause for concern.”

“We may not get to 25,000 cases every day, but we could.”

Mr Hazzard urged unvaccinated people to “rethink” their stance, and urged people to get their booster shot if they are fully vaccinated.

He also warned last minute shoppers to think twice about dashing to the shop and possibly being exposed, seeing them stuck in isolation over Christmas.

“If you’re eligible for a booster, go and get it as soon as possible … it may not stop you getting the virus but it will stop you getting very ill, and that is crucial,” Mr Hazzard said.

“And if you don’t need to right now, don’t be in a jam-packed environment. Just be cautious … maybe it’s not a good time if you want to have a Christmas Day.”

Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant added that officials believe Omicron is driving a “rapid uptick” in cases.

“Primarily we believe it is Omicron,” she said.

Crowds at cafes in Sydney on the first day of restrictions easing. Picture: Jenny Evans/Getty Images

It comes as the majority of Newcastle’s rapidly expanding Covid cluster are likely to be Omicron cases according to officials, as NSW recorded its highest number of new daily cases in months.

The state’s Covid figures took a huge leap overnight with 1360 new cases recorded and one death, according to NSW Health.

There were 25 new Omicron infections, taking the state’s total to 110.

“NSW Health remains concerned about the escalation in COVID-19 transmission in the Newcastle area, with venues linked to cases who are likely to have the Omicron variant of concern,” authorities wrote in a statement.

“It is likely that the overwhelming majority of the cases in Newcastle will be the Omicron variant of concern.”

About 94.8 per cent of eligible people aged 16 and over have had a single Covid vaccine dose, while 93.2 per cent are fully vaccinated.

Twenty-four people are in ICU of 166 being treated for the virus in hospital.

It comes as further restrictions relaxed today across NSW, with mask, QR check-in-in and capacity requirements scrapped in most public venues.

“With most COVID-19 restrictions eased today, we are urging everyone across the community to continue to practice Covid-Safe behaviours,” the NSW Health statement read.