Coronavirus: Australia hits grim milestone as Sydney CBD cluster balloons
Australia has hit a grim new coronavirus milestone as health authorities work to urgently trace the source of a Sydney CBD cluster which has expanded to 23.
NSW Coronavirus News
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Australia has hit a grim new milestone with 600 deaths from COVID-19.
Despite the rising death toll, chief nursing and midwifery officer Alison McMillan said more than 500 people were battling the deadly virus in hospital which represented a “significant” drop in the past week.
With higher-than-average temperatures across Australia, Ms McMillan warned Australians not to be complacent as we approach spring.
“As we see the sun come out, it’s still really important to stay 1.5 meters away and hygiene your hands with soap and water,” Ms McMillan said.
“We are seeing some signs of community transmission in both NSW and Queensland, and we’ve got additional restrictions in place today from 8am from the chief health officer for the Gold Coast so we all need to remain extremely vigilant and make sure that we’re all doing the right thing.”
Ms McMillan said some people were delaying getting tested for COVID-19 to see whether symptoms worsened. She said it was important to get tested “immediately”.
“We are seeing some signs where people are waiting for a few days before they get tested, please don’t wait,” she said.
“The tests are free and they’re easily accessible. Any signs of cold or a flu please do get tested and stay at home.
“That’s how we’ll continue to keep this community transmission to a minimum.”
SYDNEY CBD CLUSTER BALLOONS TO 23
Sydney CBD’s coronavirus cluster has ballooned to 23, with NSW Health urgently working to trace its source.
It comes as the state’s COVID-19 cases spiked to 14 in the last 24 hours, with just one of the new cases diagnosed in hotel quarantine.
Of the new infections, authorities said three were locally acquired with their source still under investigation. Ten others are linked to a known case or cluster and one is a returned traveller who is in hotel quarantine.
NSW Health’s Dr Christine Selvey said eight of the new cases were linked to the Sydney CBD cluster.
“NSW Health is investigating whether the CBD cluster originated in the City Tattersalls Club and then spread to work places in the city and households across Sydney and the Central Coast,” Dr Selvey said.
NSW Health has urged anyone who attended the City Tattersalls Club between August 4 and 18 to get a COVID test and isolate until their results are received.
Dr Selvey further advised people who work or live in metropolitan Sydney and the Central Coast to not visit aged care centres, while the cluster is further investigated.
Fourteen new cases of #COVID19 were diagnosed in the 24 hours to 8pm last night, bringing the total number of cases in NSW to 3,844.
— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) August 29, 2020
Locations linked to known cases and areas identified for increased testing can be found here: https://t.co/EVlm25boYj pic.twitter.com/XiseHy7DH5
NSW Health said new COVID-19 cases had visited places in Mosman, St Ives and Rosebery and asked that people who attended at the same time monitor for symptoms.
Those locations include: Archie Bear cafe at Mosman Rowers on August 24 between 11am and noon and August 25 between 9am and 9.30am; Rosebery Post Shop on August 26 between 1.30pm and 1.40pm; and St Ives Shopping Centre on August 24 between 2.30pm and 3.30pm
The recent cases bring NSW’s total coronavirus infections to 3844, with six people currently being treated in intensive care.
The total number of coronavirus-related deaths in the state remains at 54.
CITY TATTERSALLS CLARIFIES WARNING
City Tattersalls Club CEO Marcelo Veloz has moved to clarify an incorrect report from NSW Health after a warning anyone who attended the club on August 24 must isolate.
Club CEO Marcelo Veloz said the infections had been linked to the club’s fitness centre only and not the wider club premises.
NSW Health has since amended its website accordingly.
“City Tattersall Club members who have attended the club premises but have not entered the fitness centre do not need to go into isolation but should get tested if they have even the mildest symptoms.” Mr Veloz said.
NSW Health further clarified this by saying it is investigating new cases linked to the City Tattersalls Fitness Centre.
Anyone who attended the gym during these times is considered a close contact and must get tested and self-isolate:
* Wednesday August 19 between 8am-2pm
* Friday August 21 between 8am-2pm, including Aqua Aerobics from 10am-10.45am; Stretch Class from 11am-11.50am; Pump Class from 12:15pm-1pm.
* Sunday August 23 between 8am-2pm
* Monday August 24 between 8am-2pm
* Tuesday August 25 between 8am-2pm
VICTORIA RECORDS 94 NEW CASES
Victoria’s new infection numbers continue to decline, with the state recording 94 new cases on Saturday alongside 18 deaths.
The last time the state recorded fewer than 100 cases was 55 days ago on July 5.
The new deaths bring the state’s total fatalities to 514.
FATHER’S DAY HEALTH WARNING
Just a week out from Father’s Day, NSW Health is strongly advising anyone from Greater Sydney and the Central Coast against going to aged care centres as the outbreak of coronavirus continues to disrupt the state.
There is currently no evidence of cases in NSW aged care centres but with 13 new cases among the general population today, four of which have no known source, NSW Health has strengthened its warning.
“The current Sydney CBD outbreak involves people who have travelled from multiple areas in the Sydney metropolitan and Central Coast areas,” the warning reads.
“As a precaution NSW Health is extending existing visitor restrictions by strongly advising people who live or work in the Greater Sydney metropolitan area and Central Coast to refrain from visiting aged care facilities until 12 September.
It comes as four schools were forced to close their doors on Friday after a staff member and student tested positive. Both are included in Friday’s cases.
Ryde Secondary College closed on Friday after a staff member tested positive for COVID-19, while a student at St Gertrude’s Catholic Primary School also has the virus.
Double Bay Public School also closed in the afternoon due to a positive case, along with Homebush Public School.
Chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant said Wyndham College Quakers Hill, Schofields Public School and Riverstone High School had been cleaned and were reopening on Friday.