COVID-19: Cases in your area and what’s happening inside the Cherrybrook epicentre
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases across Hornsby and the Hills continues to grow, with a number of cases linked to an outbreak at Tangara School for Girls. Read about the latest statistics and what Cherrybrook residents are saying.
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Over the past week, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases have escalated across Hornsby and the Hills after an outbreak at a Cherrybrook school.
According to NSW Health data, there are currently six active cases in the Hornsby Local Government Area and 18 cases in the Hills LGA.
The number of confirmed cases linked to Tangara School for Girls has reached 21 as of Friday with that number expected to rise as more people get tested.
The prestigious all girls high school in Cherrybrook has been shutdown for two weeks, with students and staff members required to self-isolate.
NSW Health also issued a warning for customers who attended PharmaSave at the Appletree shops after one of its staff members, a student at Tangara, tested positive.
Since then, the chemist has reopened although customers are being asked to call and wait in the parking lot for staff to assist to prevent risk of transmission.
Here’s a look inside the northwestern Sydney suburb, and what people are saying from concerned parents to local businesses trying to stay afloat.
SCHOOL PARENTS
A number of parents have expressed concern over protocols and whether enough is being done to contain the spread of the virus at local schools.
A father-of-three who requested to remain anonymous stated “there’s a lot of nervousness in the community”.
“I’m on a WhatsApp group for Cherrybrook Public parents and there’s been a lot of discussion about students who have siblings that go to Tangara,” he said.
“We haven’t heard a lot of communication from the school about whether they are required to self-isolate, but it seems they are still attending.
“We are a family with three young boys so that’s out biggest concern. There’s also been talk about an unofficial camp that the Tangara students went to”.
He said outside the school he’s witnessed families struggling to social distance.
“At school drop off and pick up there are still people in close proximity. I know some parents have been holding their children from school.”
Peggy Lin, a Cherrybrook Public School parent also expressed her concerns about community transmission.
“I’m concerned about school because masks are not compulsory,” Ms Lin said.
“A lot of kids come to school and don’t wear masks. We need more measures.”
In response, the NSW Department of Education said there are protocols in place.
“NSW public schools continue to be safe and are operating in line with advice from NSW Health and the Department of Education relating to COVID-19,” a NSW Department of Education spokeswoman said.
“The Department of Education has established and proven processes for contract tracing and follow robust protocols with NSW Health.
“NSW Health formally notifies parents and a school if a child has been in close contact with someone who has tested positive to COVID-19 while at school. In these cases, NSW Health provides parents with advice.”
RESIDENTS
There’s been a mixed response from the community regarding the outbreak.
While some residents have said it’s been a “horrifying” experience, others have said “we’re doing okay”.
A Cherrybrook resident of 30 years, Fiona Vinall, said she the community were living in fear.
“I have two young nieces that live here and there are a lot of elderly in this area who are vulnerable to this virus,” Ms Vinall said.
“It’s been horrifying, the scary thing is they can’t find the origin of it. I’m expecting it to get worse so we need to be hard and strict and do the lockdown quickly.”
Long term Cherrybrook resident Maria Romeo said people needed to be more responsible.
“We didn’t expect Tangara to get as many cases as they got and they all live within the area. If they’ve gone to the shops, I imagine it could get worse,” Ms Romeo said.
“I hope it’s not going to be like Melbourne and people do the right thing. People are wearing masks but there’s still not enough social distancing.
“Be responsible and do the right thing, if you feel sick get yourself checked and stay at home.”
Teacher and mother Rebecca Cole said while she was “nervous” about the outbreak.
“It has sparked panic but it was needed because of the level of complacency. I have an underlying health condition and have stayed away from unnecessary interactions but I still see people cuddling in group photos,” Ms Cole said.
“I think schools are doing the best they can, it was just bad luck for Tangara.”
SHOPPERS
Some shops at Cherrybrook Village appeared to be closed during peak hour periods, while restaurants and shops looked empty.
New mother Brigid Meney said she felt safe walking around the village with her eight-week-old daughter because it was “quiet” and people were adhering to social distancing rules.
“I think everyone’s been on edge but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. You’ll see a lot more people here in masks than in other areas of Sydney,” Ms Meney said.
“My sister goes to Tangara and she’s been tested and has come back negative and so have her friends so that’s alleviated a lot of concern.”
Another woman walking out of the centre who wanted to remain anonymous stated “it’s more quiet since Monday, it suddenly dropped”.
BUSINESSES
A manager at a store at Cherrybrook Village who wanted to remain anonymous said they had been following all the rules and protocols, but with rising community transmission he had concerns that some customers were responsible.
“We’ve had people that have come in here coughing and then they stay for three hours,” he said.
“A customer who came in here told us they had a family member who had to self-isolate that they were living with, but they still came in.”
Meanwhile, owner of Fiesta Bakery, Lieu Le, whose shop is located off Appletree Dr said business had dropped since Monday.
“We were doing well before Monday, but now people are worried because of the case at the chemist,” Ms Le said.
“I do get worried someone could walk in with the virus but that’s why we are wearing masks and disinfecting. We are lucky we still have loyal customers”.
There are several COVID-19 testing located near Cherrybrook including Pennant Hills Community Health Centre, Castle Hill Medical Centre, Carlingford Drive-through clinic and Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital.