Sydney’s Star Casino confirms coronavirus case, Crossroads Hotel cluster grows
Sydney’s Star Casino has confirmed a patron who visited the complex on July 4 has tested positive for COVID-19. Meanwhile, a visitor to Canterbury Leagues Club on the same date has also tested postive and The Crossroads Hotel cluster has risen to 21. LATEST DETAILS.
NSW
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21 cases of coronavirus can be linked to the Crossroads Hotel outbreak, NSW Chief Medical Officer Dr Kerry Chant has confirmed.
There are 10 cases in people who were at the hotel, and a further 11 cases in close contacts to those patrons.
A ‘tertiary’ case has also been confirmed in a southwestern woman in her 50s, who was a contact of a close contact of a Crossroads Hotel case.
“You can see that when we have some cases that were contacts of contacts of cases, you can see how rapidly Covid-19 can spread,” Dr Chant said.
There have been 14 cases recorded in the 24 until 8pm yesterday, and a further seven recorded up until noon today. All seven of today’s cases are linked to the Crossroads Hotel.
Dr Chant said the investigation into finding the patient zero of the Casula outbreak is looking into whether the virus came from Victoria, and NSW Health is in contact with other states to determine if truckers may be close contacts.
“This is called the Crossroads Hotel for a reason, it is on a popular route,” Dr Chant said.
Dr Chant said a tightening of restrictions could be on the cards if cases are identified without links to the Crossroad Hotel or another known case.
“If we see any emergence of cases that are not linked to either known cases or the Crossroads attendance on those days, then obviously that will lead us to reflect on additional measures,” Dr Chant said.
Despite pokies being a feature in all the venues with identified cases today, Dr Chant said NSW Health isn’t overly concerned.
“Clearly some people were playing poker machines, but it isn’t a strong feature,” Dr Chant said.
“A lot of people were consuming meals, and it was a party or celebration for various work events as opposed to us being concerned about the poker machines,” she said.
CASE AT STAR CASINOSydney’s Star Casino has also confirmed a patron who visited the complex on July 4 has tested positive for COVID-19. On the same day, it’s been revealed a visitor who has tested positive to the virus may have visited Canterbury Leagues Club with an investigation now underway.
In a statement lodged to the ASX, the Star group said it had been informed by NSW health authorities that a patron who visited the casino on Saturday, July 4 returned a positive reading for the infectious disease.
The Star noted the patron had been on the premises from around 7.30pm to 10.30pm.
“The Star is working closely with NSW Health to respond to this information, including the conduct of contact tracing which includes staff members,” the company said.
The casino reopened on June 1 and was operating on a restricted timetable.
Meanwhile the total number of COVID-19 infections linked to the Crossroads Hotel in Sydney’s southwest has risen to 13 after four new cases were confirmed overnight.
The new infections come after health authorities on Sunday afternoon reported four positive tests from the Casula pub cluster on top of five previously reported by officials.
The Crossroads cluster has forced the closure of the Picton Hotel for cleaning after a case linked to the outbreak attended the gaming room of the venue while infectious on July 4, and 10.
NSW recorded 14 total coronavirus cases overnight with four returned travellers in hotel quarantine and two NSW residents who were infected in Victoria.
Here is the latest Australian coronavirus news:
POLICE RAID JINDABYNE PUB
A Jindabyne pub has been forced to close after police busted the venue for not complying with coronavirus restrictions.
The Jindabyne venue was closed on Saturday after several visits from police, who warned the venue about public intoxication and public safety issues.
Police Minister David Elliott has warned a return to restrictions may be on the cards of pubs continue to allow large crowds and lines in their venues, saying it is “civilian logic 101” to stay away from crowded venues.
Mr Elliott said licensees should learn from Victoria and the “mistakes” of some NSW venues.
“If (Victorian cases) occur in NSW we will have to continue to look at what restrictions need to be reintroduced,” Mr Elliott said.
“A government and the hospitality industry can only do so much ... if we have to close hotels and clubs again the patrons will have to take some of the ownership of that,” he said.
VICTORIA RECORDS 177 NEW CASES
Premier Daniel Andrews has said all Victorians are on the front line of the virus as the state records 177 new cases.
The state is undergoing a testing blitz with 22,000 tests undertaken in the last 24 hours alone.
“Our health workers are heroes, they do an amazing job,” Mr Andrews said.
“We want to thank them, one of the ways we thank them is by acknowledging it’s us on the front line, we are there, and if we follow the rules, then we can play our part, a really powerful part in driving down these numbers,” he said.
There are 1612 active cases in the state with 72 in hospital.
LABOR MP ISOLATING AFTER PUB OUTING
A NSW Labor MP has been forced to self isolate after attending the Crossroads Hotel in Casula.
Member for Macquarie Fields Anoulack Chanthivong revealed he had dinner at the pub last Monday.
“As soon as I became aware of the updated NSW Health advice yesterday, I was tested and am now in self-isolation for the required period,” Mr Chanthivong said.
“I take the safety of my family and the community very seriously and will continue to follow all public health advice.”
It is understood Mr Chathivong was not asked to write his name and number on a COVID sign-in sheet when he entered the hotel, but he had provided his details to the venue when he made a dinner booking.
The Labor MP has met with community members since attending the hotel, including holding a “mobile office” at Ingleburn RSL. Photos on social media show him meeting with residents, while following social distancing regulations.
A spokesman for Labor leader Jodi McKay said she had not been in close contact with Mr Chantivong since he attended the hotel.
MORE CROSSROADS CASES CONFIRMED
Five of 14 people included in today’s confirmed coronavirus cases in NSW are patrons who attended the Crossroads Hotel.
– A Sydney teenager who worked at the hotel on several days including 3 July
– A Sydney woman in her 40s who had dinner at the hotel on 3 July
– A Sydney man in his 40s who had dinner at the hotel on 3 July
– Victorian man in his 20s who had dinner at the hotel on 3 July
– Sydney man in his 20s who had dinner at the hotel on 3 July
Three of the 14 infected are contacts of pub patrons but none of these people are the likely source of infection at the hotel, NSW Health says.
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It comes as health authorities track down ‘patient zero’ behind the new disease cluster. Deputy Chief Health Officer Michael Kidd told the ABC this morning that “part of the concern” is the hotel is used by freight drivers who travel across the country.
When asked on Sydney radio this morning whether the infection was spread from a truckie who had travelled to Sydney from Melbourne, NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said authorities were investigating.
“We do have some linkages to Melbourne but we need some further diagnostic tests to nail this investigation.”
The Daily Telegraph can reveal the Crossroads Hotel is not only accused of breaching COVID-19 rules, it was closed down by police because of drunken patrons.
The venue also breached the Liquor Act before it was shut down as Liquor and Gaming NSW works with police investigating the hotel.
The danger period of attendance has been extended from July 3 to July 10 and thousands of patrons have been told to immediately self-isolate and get tested.
More than 1200 people who attended the hotel have already been tested.
“Even if you get a negative test that does not mean you are out of the woods, and hence we are asking that you isolate yourself for 14 days since you were last at the Crossroads Hotel,” Dr Chant said.
“A negative test does not mean that you can breach self-isolation.”
She said the cluster at the hotel was a reminder to all businesses that "even when you have a plan it really is important to have vigilance in terms of the implementation of the plan".
CASULA GYM SHUT AFTER POSITIVE CASE
The Planet Fitness gym at Casula was shut for deep cleaning on Sunday night after a member who had attended the Crossroads Hotel returned a positive test.
“The member has not been at the club since Friday 10 July and is in quarantine,” Planet Fitness said in a statement on its Facebook page.
“Additionally, our team members are in self-quarantine as instructed by their doctor, as a precaution because of contact with the patient.”
Planet Fitness said the team members are not currently reporting symptoms and that all areas of the club are being disinfected.
NSW Health says that while the risk to other members is considered low, anyone who attended the gym should “watch for respiratory symptoms or fever, and if they occur, isolate and get tested for COVID-19 right away.”
ADF PERSONNEL ISOLATING AT WAGGA RAAF BASE
Twelve Australian Defence Force members who attended the Crossroads Hotel at Casula are self-isolating at the Wagga Wagga RAAF base.
In a statement, the Department of Defence said the group had been tested for coronavirus and the results were still pending.
“The Defence members will be in medical isolation for 14 days in line with the directions of NSW Health for anyone who attended the hotel between 03 and 10 Jul 2020,” the statement said.
“As a further precautionary measure, the remainder of the contingent sent from Sydney have been directed to self-isolate as Defence consults with NSW Health.
“There are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the contingent and the base has not been locked down.”
Dr Kerry Chant said this morning that none of the members were unwell or had symptoms.
PREMIER WARNS OF NSW LOCKDOWN MEASURES
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said anyone breaching orders to self isolate would “absolutely” face a fine and tougher measures could follow.
“If you‘ve been asked to be in isolation and you breach those orders of course (you’d face a fine),” she said.
“We have literally the next few weeks to continue on the strong path we‘ve been on, otherwise we will go down the path of Victoria. It’s up to us now.
“Do not be surprised if the government takes decisions to further reduce the risk in the next month in particular of community transmission getting to a stage where it is out of control.”