Central Coast Covid: Covid case numbers continue to decline with 15 new cases

Covid case numbers across the region continue to drop with 15 new cases to 8pm on Thursday night. It comes as regional travel rules change.

Fiona Killman and Richard Noone

6 min read

October 15, 2021 - 11:54AM

Central Coast Express Advocate

Central Coast

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Another drop in case numbers has been recorded across the Central Coast.

The region has 15 new cases which brings the total to 1113 cases since the Delta outbreak started back in June.

The numbers are part of the NSW total of 499 cases to 8pm on Thursday night.

Central Coast Local Health District (CCLHD) has stated that eight of the new cases are linked to known cases.

“The source of infection for two cases is under investigation,” a CCLHD spokesman said.

“The source of infection for five cases is unknown. Five cases were in isolation during their infectious period.”

CCLHD has not recorded any new exposure sites.

Fully vaccinated coast residents can travel regionally from November 1. Picture: Richard Noone

Central Coast Parliamentary Secretary Adam Crouch has advised of changes in regional travel rules.

■ Between now and November 1, any fully vaccinated Central Coast resident can freely travel to and from Sydney, Blue Mountains, Shellharbour and Wollongong.

■ From November 1 onwards, any fully vaccinated Central Coast resident can freely travel anywhere in NSW.

■From 1 December onwards, any Central Coast resident (regardless of vaccination status) can freely travel anywhere in NSW.

“Unfortunately this is necessary because of the very low vaccination rates in some part of Regional NSW,” Mr Crouch said.

“The Central Coast’s double dose rate is 72% (as at 10 October), but many regional and rural areas have double dose rates of 45%. We have made fantastic progress, but there are still 19,000 unvaccinated people on the Central Coast.”

Earlier, October 14

The Central Coast’s Covid numbers are continuing to dip with 18 new cases.

The numbers form part of NSW’s total of 406 cases to 8pm on Wednesday night.

Central Coast Local Health District (CCLHD) said 13 of the cases were linked to known cases.

The source of infection for one case is under investigation, while the source of infection for four cases is unknown.

This brings the region’s total to 1098 local cases since the start of the current Delta outbreak in June.

It comes as health authorities have identified an area within Gosford Hospital’s main entry has been identified as a Covid exposure site.

CCLHD has identified the lounge area adjacent to the patient inquiries desk as a casual contact exposure site.

“Anyone who sat in the lounge area or transited through this area on Friday 8 October between 11.30am and 1.30pm is a casual contact who must get tested and isolate until a negative result is received, even if you are vaccinated and feel well,” a CCLHD spokeswoman said.

A section of the main entry has been identified as an exposure site. Picture: Sue Graham

“As the date of exposure is now more than six days ago casual contacts do not need to isolate until a negative result is received, if they feel well. However, they should monitor for symptoms and get tested if they develop fever, cough, sore throat, or loss of smell or taste.

She said anyone working in high risk settings, who was at the hospital’s main entry on October 8, should speak to their manager before returning to work. These include workers in healthcare, aged care, disability care, early childhood, school and correctional facilities.

“The community is advised that the hospital remains open and there is no impact on patient care,” the spokeswoman said.

“No other areas in the Main Entry, including the cafe and patient admissions, are considered

exposure sites. All necessary risk assessments and protocols for a healthcare facility exposure have been carried out including deep cleaning of the area, and there is no further risk to staff or patients.”

Exposure sites

Anyone who attended the following venue is a casual contact who must get tested immediately and isolate until you receive a negative result, even if you are vaccinated and

feel well.

■ Platypus Shoes Erina Fair Shopping Centre, Terrigal Drive Erina

o Wednesday 6 October, 9.30am to 5.30pm

■ Bunnings West Gosford (3 Yallambee Ave, West Gosford)

o Tuesday 5 October, 1.05pm – 3pm (not 12 October)

Earlier – October 13

On the second day of easing restrictions the Central Coast has recorded just 17 locally acquired Covid cases with eight of the cases in isolation during their infectious period.

Of the 17 cases, 10 were linked to known cases while the source of infection for three cases is under investigation and the source of the remain four cases remains unknown, according to Central Coast Local Health District.

There have now been 1080 local cases of Covid on the Central Coast since the start of the current outbreak in June.

Two Bunning Warehouse stores have been listed as exposure sites. (File image)

It comes as two Bunnings Warehouse stores have been listed as exposure sites.

Anyone who attended the venues on the following dates and times listed is a casual contact who must immediately get tested and isolate until they receive a negative result.

■ Bunnings Lake Haven (cnr Chelmsford Rd and Pacific Hwy, Charmhaven)

o Saturday 2 October, 12.40pm – 1.20pm

■ Bunnings West Gosford (3 Yallambee Ave, West Gosford)

o Tuesday 12 October, 1.05pm – 3pm

PREVIOUSLY FROM TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12

Central Coast Covid cases have hit 1063 since the latest outbreak in June with a further 22 recorded to 8pm last night.

Of these, 18 were linked to known cases while the source of infection for three cases is under

investigation.

The source of one of the three cases under investigation is unknown.

Central Coast Local Health District said 11 cases were in isolation during their infectious period.

CCLHD said 11 of the coast’s 22 new cases were in isolation during their infectious period. Picture: News Local / Troy Snook

A further five exposure sites have been identified with any who attended the following locations is now classified as a casual contact who must immediately get tested and isolate until they receive a negative result.

■ Aldi, Tuggerah (Westfield Tuggerah, Cnr Gavenlock & Cobbs Rd, Tuggerah)

o Thursday 30 September, 4:10pm-4:55pm

■ Bunnings, Umina (Cnr West St &, South St, Umina Beach)

o Wednesday 6 October, 10:55am-11:30am

■ Commonwealth Bank Gosford (184 Mann St, Gosford)

o Tuesday 5 October, 11:40am-11:55am

■ IGA, Ettalong Beach (396 Ocean View Rd, Ettalong Beach)

o Friday 8 October, 11:20am-11:50am

■ Woolworths, Lake Munmorah (1 Tall Timbers Rd, Lake Munmorah)

o Wednesday 6 October, 12:40pm-1:25pm

A number of Coles supermarkets on the coast remain casual exposure sites. Picture: Coles

It comes as the coast hit a 72.6 per cent double vaccination target with 93 per cent of residents aged 16 and older receiving their first dose.

Robertson Federal Liberal MP Lucy Wicks said while the statistics were encouraging, the region still needed to hit 80 and 90 per cent double vaccination rates to keep people safe.

“We still have a number of exposure sites across the Central Coast and locals need to remain vigilant while out and about,” she said.

NSW recorded 360 new Covid cases yesterday with 90.4 per cent of the population over 16 having received their first dose of vaccine and 74 per cent double vaccinated.

PREVIOUSLY FROM MONDAY, OCTOBER 11

The Central Coast has been urged to remain vigilant as restrictions ease for those who are double vaccinated against Covid.

The coast has recorded 21 new Covid cases as part of the NSW total of 496 to 8pm on Sunday night.

Central Coast Local Health District (CCLHD) has confirmed that 16 of the new cases are linked to known cases.

“The source of infection for two cases is under investigation,” a CCLHD spokesman said.

“The source of infection for three cases is unknown. Nine cases were in isolation during their infectious period. There have now been 1,041 local cases of COVID-19 in the Central Coast Local Health District since the start of the current outbreak in June.”

Fully vaccinated coast residents can travel regionally from November 1. Picture: Richard Noone

Central Coast Parliamentary Secretary Adam Crouch said today’s cases are a reminder to be “vigilant”.

“There are still a number of new cases and new exposure sites being detected by Central Coast Health,” he said.

“After 106 days in lockdown, it’s fantastic that double dosed Central Coast residents are now free to get back to some of the things that we all love.”

However he also reminded people to be patient and kind to others.

“If you are visiting a restaurant, pub, hairdresser or shop, please be respectful to staff and other customers,” he said.

21 new cases have been recorded across the coast. Picture: Gaye Gerard

CCLHD has identified 13 new exposure sites.

Anyone who attended the following venues on the dates and times listed is a casual contact. Casual contacts must immediately get tested and isolate until a negative result is received, even if you have had a test in recent days.

■ Coles Bateau Bay, Bateau Bay Square, 12 Bay Village Rd, Bateau Bay

o Wednesday 29 September, 1.30pm to 2.30pm

■ Coles Erina, Erina Fair, 620/658 Terrigal Drive, Erina

o Sunday 3 October, 4.20pm to 5pm

■ Coles The Entrance, Lakeside Shopping Centre, The Entrance Rd and Dening St, The Entrance

o Monday 27 September, 9.30pm to 10pm

■ Coles San Remo, Northlakes Shopping Centre, 21 Pacific Hwy, San Remo

o Thursday 30 September, 6pm to 7pm

o Sunday 3 October, 9.30pm to 10pm

■ Coles Toukley, 781/17-21Yaralla St, Hargraves St, Toukley

o Friday 1 October, 6.40pm to 7.40pm

■ Coles Umina, 4 Oscar St, Umina Beach