Coronavirus update: Northern beaches a hotspot for COVID-19

With more than 100 cases, the northern beaches has the second highest number of cases in NSW, the latest health information has revealed.

No social distancing in parts of Manly on the beach front and a cafe on the South Steyne. picture John Grainger

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The northern beaches is a hotspot for COVID-19 cases with more than 100 people infected with the virus.

By Local Government Area, the northern beaches has the second highest number of cases in NSW, after Waverley.

As of March 29 there were 101 cases of COVID-19 on the peninsula, with Waverley standing at 137.

The northern beaches also has 11 locally acquired COVID-19 cases with an unknown source of infection.

At times there was a lack of social distancing in parts of Manly on the beach front and a cafe last weekend on the South Steyne. Picture John Grainger

Epidemiologist Associate Professor Margo Barr, from the University of NSW said the northern beaches LGA does have higher numbers of cases than other areas, but most were from overseas returnees or those who have been in contact with those who have been overseas.

“The contact not identified (possibly locally acquired) is still around 10-19 cases so most are either overseas acquired or locally acquired linked to a known case,” she said.

“Of course this is all has the potential to change rapidly, so people still need to be vigilant re-isolation, hand washing and social distancing.”

On Tuesday Northern Beaches Hospital reported it was treating two patients with the coronavirus.

Patient in mask been seen by triage nurse at Northern Beaches Hospital's new COVID-19 clinic. Picture: Tim Pascoe

It is also now providing free carparking near the COVID-19 clinic at the rear of the Emergency Department, so that potential coronavirus patients are not walking through the hospital car park.

On Monday 78 people were tested, slightly down on figures from the week before which saw several days of where more than 100 were tested. Last Friday saw 112 tested but over the weekend there were around 60 on each day.

The reduction could be because there are less people returning from overseas, a major source of infection.

There is also still strict criteria for testing at hospitals which includes symptoms such as a fever, combined with returning from overseas or having contact with someone who has returned from overseas.

Northern Beaches Hospital’s COVID-19 clinic on March 17, 2020. Picture: Julian Andrews.

Northern Sydney, which includes the northern beaches, has had a total of 348 cases and has tested 14,990 people.

Other hospitals across the Northern Sydney Local Health District, which includes Royal North Shore, Hornsby and Ryde have 13 COVID-19 patients between them, making the total across the district 15.

The majority of patients are coping at home in self-isolation.