Coronavirus NSW: Sydney suburbs where virus may be spreading
Health authorities have added more Sydney suburbs to the list where COVID-19 is likely spreading undetected, as four new infections force a Southern Highlands school to close.
NSW
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Health authorities have issued an urgent alert for 14 Sydney suburbs, four more than were on the list just one day ago.
The new Sydney suburbs are considered areas where the virus is likely spreading among the community undetected, based on recent cases and wastewater findings.
Anyone who lives in the following areas is urged to get tested at the first sign of the mildest symptom:
Catherine Field, Leppington, Gledswood Hill, Varroville, Denham Court, West Hoxton, Hoxton Park, Middleton Grange, Horningsea Park, Carnes Hill, Edmondson Park, Prestons, Busby, Miller.
Nine new cases of coronavirus were diagnosed in NSW on Friday, including four community infections, and five detected in hotel quarantine.
“Of the four new cases, one was with the source under investigation and three are close contacts of this case,” Dr McAnulty said.
“Further investigations are underway.”
Contact tracing has commenced as one of the new cases attended Moss Vale Public School while another attended Southern Highlands Early Learning Childcare Centre.
Both sites have been closed for deep cleaning.
NSW Health says anyone who lives or works in the Moss Vale area should be on alert for symptoms.
$100 HOSPITALITY VOUCHER PLAN
NSW residents could be handed $100 vouchers redeemable to families under an idea being canvassed by Treasurer Dominic Perrottet.
The cash would not be able to be used for the purchase of alcohol and would only be given to people over the age of 18.
It is expected to be the centrepiece of the state budget, which will be announced later this month, at a cost of around $500 million.
The program would provide $100 to households with more than two people, while single person households would receive $50.
During an interview with 2GB’s Ben Fordham on Friday, Premier Gladys Berejiklian stopped short of confirming the scheme.
“I’m not in a position to confirm all those wonderful things our treasurer may or may not be announcing,” she said.
“I want your listeners to be sure of one thing we get out tough it has been on families at the moment. We get what a stressful year everybody has had and how tough it has been for business.
“We’re hoping in the budget we can take care of everybody who has been going through difficult times.”
PREMIER ‘OVER’ FEUD WITH QLD PREMIER
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she is “over the personal stuff” between her and Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.
The state leaders became embroiled in a war of messages on Thursday after Ms Berejiklian revealed she had not heard back from Ms Palaszczuk after texting congratulations on her election win and asking about a border reopening.
A spokesman for the newly reinstated Premier wouldn’t say the border wasn’t mentioned but revealed Ms Palaszczuk replied three days later after the first State of Origin game with a single word: “Queenslander.”
On Friday morning, Ms Berejiklian used a 2GB interview to set the record straight on recent conversations.
“On Sunday night what I said to her was ‘looking forward to with you on the border’ now that is pretty clear isn’t it?”.
“Look, I’ve over all the personal stuff to be honest, I just want it fixed.
COVID TRACES FOUND IN SOUTHWEST SYDNEY SEWAGE
Residents across southwest Sydney have been urged to get tested for COVID-19 after the virus was found in local sewage.
Residents of Leppington, Catherine Field, Gledswood Hills, Varroville and Denham Court have been asked by NSW Health to get tested after virus traces were detected in samples from the area’s sewage.
The state’s sewage surveillance program found remnants of COVID-19 in samples from a local sewage pumping station, which drains from these suburbs, on November 4.
A statement from NSW Health asked residents to get tested even if they have “the mildest COVID-19 symptoms”.
“Symptoms like a runny nose or scratchy throat, cough, tiredness, fever or loss of taste or smell can all signal COVID-19,” the statement read.
Locals can get tested nearby at drive-through clinics in Prestons, Leppington and Gledswood Hills, a pop-up clinic in Oran Park, or Ingleburn Laverty Pathology.