COVID-19 update: The Hills District in lockdown, all the latest
There were 22 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 overnight as two Sydney hospitals have been put on alert after a nurse tested positive to the virus. All the latest.
Hills Shire
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UPDATE - July 2
There were 31 community transmission cases of Covid-19 reported overnight.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian told reporters 13 of those cases were active in the community.
Ms Berejiklian said the number of cases reflected the “lag” before the lockdown and said she hopes to see the impact of lockdown having a “positive impact” in coming days.
She reminded the community to “stay at home” unless they absolutely had to leave and that being a “close contact” meant you could not attend a vaccination.
NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant said 27 of the 31 cases were linked with 17 being household contacts.
She said NSW Health were treating and managing 172 cases with the majority not being in hospital and acute care settings.
There were three reported patients in intensive care, none of which are on ventilators.
Dr Chant also urged western Sydney residents with the mildest of symptoms to get tested.
“We’ve seen over recent days a number of cases linked to socially connected households in western Sydney.
“And that relates to workers, some of those were health care and aged care workers that we discussed over recent days.”
UPDATE - July 1
A nurse at SummitCare aged care in Baulkham Hills has tested positive to COVID-19.
A Western Sydney Local Health District Spokesman said: “Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) has been notified that an aged care worker who works at a private residential aged care home in Baulkham Hills has tested positive to COVID-19.
“The majority of residents at this aged care facility are fully vaccinated.
“WSLHD is providing support to this facility including testing residents and staff as well as assisting with infection control measures.”
UPDATE - June 30 at 11.20am
There were 22 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 overnight.
Four of the cases were linked to the Crossways Hotel in Strathfield and three new cases linked to Christo’s Pizzeria Paddington.
Auburn Central has also been announced as a venue of concern.
NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant called on anyone who has visited Auburn Central on June 28 to immediately go into isolation, get a test and wait for further advice.
Dr Chant said a 24-year-old student nurse has also tested positive to COVID-19 which will be reflected in tomorrow’s numbers.
“We know she worked while infectious on a number of days,” Dr Chant said.
“The wards that the staff member worked at have been locked down so they’re not taking any additional patients.
She said testing has been arranged for all staff who had contact with the nurse.
The nurse worked at Fairfield hospital’s rehabilitation ward and Royal North Shore Hospital’s cardiology and general abdominal surgery wards over five days.
“The source of this patient is not clear at this stage. We do know a household member is positive,” Dr Chant said.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian reminded the community to stay at home unless they needed to go out for essential reasons.
“While venues of concern have increased overnight...we’re expecting that to taper off,” told reporters on Wednesday.
“If people are doing the right thing and staying indoors unless they absolutely have to...and follow health advice, we can get out of this in the time frame we want.”
UPDATE – June 28 at 11.52am
The Hills is in lockdown with at least two people within the local government area infected with COVID-19.
Residents have been asked to strictly follow the state’s stay-at-home orders and get tested as 18 new COVID-19 positive cases were recorded overnight.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said all 18 cases were linked except for one.
“Of those 18 cases about a sixth of them were in isolation the entire time,” Ms Berejiklian told reporters on Monday.
Yet she said a portion of the cases were active in the community and urged anyone who is a close contact to get tested and isolate for 14 days.
NSW Chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant said 15 of the 18 cases were linked to the Bondi cluster and three were acquired overseas.
She also urged elderly residents who were hesitant of waiting in queues to still get tested.
“I want to reassure those elderly or frail members as well as pregnant women should you present (to clinic) we are asking all our services to have prioritised queue so you don't’ have to wait.”
Dr Chant also reminded the community of the importance of vaccinations.
“I think it's also important that we note that getting vaccinated is a key thing.
“We are seeing some of our elderly cases not getting vaccinated.”
It comes as a positive COVID-19 case attended Westmead Hospital vaccination clinic last Tuesday (June 22).
In a statement on Sunday, WSLHD chief executive Grame Loy said the clinic had been “thoroughly cleaned” and that NSW Health were contacting close and casual contacts.
“The vaccination clinic remains open and people are encouraged to continue to come forward for their vaccination appointment,” he said.
“All visitors and staff at the Westmead Hospital vaccination clinic are required to wear a mask at all times and strict physical distancing is observed.”
No transmission from the case to other people the facility has been identified so far.
NSW Health minister Brad Hazzard also reminded the community that getting a vaccination was an “essential reason” for people to leave the home.
He also referred to the seeding event of the West Hoxton party as a reminder of how important it was to get vaccinated.
“I can report of the more than 30 people at that party, 24 are now positive for COVID-19 and not one of those 24 were vaccinated.
“I can also advise that six health workers that attended that party who were fully vaccinated, that not one has been infected by the COVID-19 virus.”
He added that one aged care worker at the party who had taken their first dose of the vaccine was also not infected with the virus.
“Short message is, get vaccinated,” he said.
FULL LIST OF HILLS VENUES OF CONCERN
Casual contacts
Spotlight Castle Hill – 12 Victoria Ave – 11am to 11.20am on Tuesday June 15
Contents International Design and Luxury Store – 19/20C Hills Super Centre North 18 Victoria Ave – 11.20am to 11.45am on Tuesday June 15
FULL LIST OF TRANSPORT ROUTES OF CONCERN
600 – From O’Connell St, Parramatta (outside Bankwest Stadium) To Pennant Hills Station, Sunday 20 June 2021, 4:04pm to 4:50pm
665 – From Parramatta Station To Rouse Hill Station, Sunday 20 June 2021, 7:30pm to 7:56pm
665 – From Rouse Hill Station To Parramatta Station, Sunday 20 June 2021, 8:20pm to 8:45pm
665 – From Parramatta Station To Rouse Hill Station, Sunday 20 June 2021, 9pm to 9:26pm
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