Central Coast Covid: 34 new cases takes region to 535 cases

The Central Coast recorded 34 new cases of Covid. It comes as education workers are targeted in this weekend’s mass vaccination clinics.

Central Coast Covid numbers continue to soar, with the region recording 34 new cases.

Central Coast Local Health District (CCLHD) has confirmed the 15 of the cases are linked to known cases.

“The source of infection for 19 cases is under investigation,”a CCLHD spokeswoman said.

“Nine cases were in isolation during their infectious period. There have now been 535 local cases of COVID-19 in the Central Coast Local Health District since the start of the current outbreak in June.

“Investigations are continuing and any exposure sites of public concern will be announced

once confirmed.”

AstraZeneca vaccines are available for education staff on Sunday at Gosford and Wyong hospitals. Picture: Dan Peled

Central Coast Parliamentary Secretary Adam Crouch said education staff would be the focus for Sunday’s mass vaccination clinics.

“Getting everyone vaccinated means that schools can resume face-to-face learning,” he said.

“Between 7am and 3pm, Gosford and Wyong Hospitals will be offering 1200 AstraZeneca vaccines. No appointment is necessary. You can simply turn up and receive a vaccination.

Anyone who is over the age of 18, who is not pregnant and who does not have medical contraindications can receive an AstraZeneca vaccine.”

Earlier, Thursday September 23

Covid numbers continue to grow across the Central Coast as the region passes 500 Covid cases.

The coast recorded 32 new cases as part of the NSW total of 1063 to 8pm on Wednesday night.

Central Coast Local Health District (CCLHD) has confirmed that 11 of the cases are linked to known cases.

“The source of infection for 21 cases is under investigation,” a CCLHD spokesman said.

“Five cases were in isolation during their infectious period. Investigations are continuing and any exposure sites of public concern will be announced once confirmed.”

This brings the regions total to 501 cases since the start of the recent outbreak in June.

It comes as the weekly allocation of Pfizer doses for Gosford and Wyong Hospitals has been increased from 4800 to 6800.

More Pfizer is now available at Gosford and Wyong hospitals. Picture: Patrick T. Fallon

Central Coast Parliamentary Secretary Adam Crouch said he was advised by NSW Health’s chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant advised that the Federal Government allocated at least 60 per cent of all Pfizer doses to GPs.

“This means that it is much easier to receive a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine from a GP than it is to receive one at Gosford and Wyong Hospitals,” he said.

“Gosford and Wyong Hospitals have the capacity to administer 12,000 Pfizer doses per week, however Dr Chant has confirmed the Federal Government’s supply of Pfizer will remain “static” until October at the earliest.

“In spite of the supply challenges, our community is making fantastic progress in our vaccination rates. Every single day the proportion of fully vaccinated people in NSW increases by approximately on per cent, bringing us closer to the 70 per cent milestone.”

The Local health District will no longer announce low risk exposure sites. Picture: Sue Graham

CCLHD has also announced changes to help speed up its contact tracing methods.

A CCLHD spokesman said the health district would no longer identify Covid venue exposure sites which are assessed as low risk.

“Central Coast Public Health Unit is focusing its efforts on people who have potentially been exposed to a confirmed COVID-19 case at:

■ their household;

■ their workplace;

■ high-risk facilities (such as a healthcare or aged care facility, school or childcare centre); and any location where transmission has been identified or is considered likely to have

occurred,” he said.

“Experience shows there is a very low risk of transmission at venues such as takeaway cafes, petrol stations and for short visits to retail shops. We will continue to assess venues on a case by-case basis and alert the public of any exposures where there is deemed to be a public health risk.”