NSW surf lifesaving championships called off after a gastro outbreak

A nasty gastro outbreak has taken hold on Sydney’s Northern Beaches that has forced the cancellation of the NSW surf lifesaving championships.

The state surf lifesaving championships have been called off after a gastro outbreak among spectators and competitors all set to descend on the northern beaches on Saturday.

All events along the beaches at Manly, Queenscliff, Freshwater had to be suspended in the morning after reports of mass illness spread.

“SLSNSW has consulted with NSW Health and is awaiting further advice,” Surf Lifesaving NSW said in a statement.

“NSW Health are aware of a significant outbreak of gastro-type illness throughout the Sydney area including on the Northern Beaches and in the interests of safety of competitors, officials and spectators, SLSNSW will seek further advice, assess the situation and provide an update as soon as possible.”

It comes as the health authorities grapple with a statewide gastro outbreak that has seen 156 childcare centres and school hit by numerous cases in the past month.

The figure is a 97 per cent increase on cases normally reported this time of year.

“Almost 1,000 children and more than 210 staff members have been affected to date, a 97 per cent increase above the number normally reported for the month of February,” NSW Health’s executive director of health protection Dr Richard Broome said this week.

“NSW Health has notified the directors of NSW early childhood education services to an increase in viral gastroenteritis outbreaks and since then there have been further notifications of gastroenteritis outbreaks across the sector.”