Mystery coronavirus case sparks health alert for northern beaches
A mysterious case of COVID-19 is believed to have sparked the latest health alert for the northern beaches after authorities were unable to work out how the person caught the deadly disease.
Manly
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A mystery COVID-19 case where health trackers have been unable to locate the source has sparked concern the disease could continue to spread in the community.
NSW Heath has appealed for people on the peninsula to get tested if they show any symptoms of the virus.
Health authorities refused to be more specific on the location of the patient to protect confidentiality, but said the case in question was recorded in mid-April.
According to data the last recorded COVID-19 case on the northern beaches was on April 19 in the 2099 postcode, which includes Dee Why.
The source of that case has not been identified.
And, in the 2096 postcode, which includes Queenscliff, Freshwater and Harbord, a case was reported on April 14. Again the source has not been traced.
There have been a further seven cases of COVID-19 since April 1 which have been acquired locally with no known source.
Three of those cases were recorded in Dee Why on April 19, April 3 and March 26.
There have been 34 new cases on the peninsula in total since April 1.
A spokesman for Northern Sydney Local Health District said NSW Health is increasing COVID-19 testing, particularly around areas where there are some suspected community transmissions with an unknown source.
“A single case in an area without a known source could be a very early indicator that there may be some local spread occurring in that area,” a spokesman said.
“A person who lives in the northern beaches area became unwell with COVID-19 in mid-April.
“In response, NSW Health is asking anyone with a fever or acute respiratory infection living in the Northern Beaches LGA to be tested for COVID-19.”
The total number of COVID-19 cases on the northern beaches now stands at 156, up two from the public data available last week.
A new one was recorded in Dee Why’s 2099 postcode, bringing the tally there to 20.
And a new case was recorded in the 2100 postcode, which includes Allambie, Allambie Heights, Beacon Hill, Brookvale, North Manly, Oxford Falls and Warringah Mall, on April 18, bringing its COVID-19 total to 9.
There is generally some time delay between when the case is recorded and when the information is made publicly available.
The Manly Daily has requested local figures for those who have recovered from the virus, but has been told it is not yet available.
Coronavirus symptoms include fever and/or flu-like symptoms such as cough, sore throat or shortness of breath.
Free testing is available are Northern Beaches Hospital and Mona Vale Hospital.