Seven Ryde church attendees test positive to coronavirus

Church goers who attended a Sydney Church of Christ service at Ryde Civic Centre on March 8 have been asked to look out for coronavirus symptoms after seven people who attended the service tested positive to COVID-19.

NORTHERN DISTRICT TIMES/AAP. Ryde Civic Centre in Ryde on Monday 30 September, 2019. Generic shots off Ryde Civic Centre. It's been unoccupied since 2015 and council has recently made a decision to bring it one step close to redeveloping it into a community space. (AAP IMAGE / Angelo Velardo)

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PEOPLE who attended a Sydney Church of Christ service at Ryde Civic Centre on March 8 have been asked to look out for coronavirus symptoms after seven people tested positive to COVID-19.

NSW Health have asked the 300 people who attended the service to self-monitor for symptoms which conclude a sore throat, fever, coughing, fatigue and shortness of breath.

Initially four people presented with symptoms but that was updated to seven today by NSW Health.

Church goers who attended a Sydney Church of Christ service at Ryde Civic Centre on March 8 have been asked to look out for coronavirus symptoms after four people who attended the service tested positive to COVID-19.

NSW Chief Medical Officer Dr Kerry Chant said: "Your risk for COVID-19 is slightly increased. I can confirm that we have contacted all of the close contacts of the confirmed cases that attended that service.

"But given the fact that, in such a big service of around 300 people, it's hard to absolutely exclude who's contacted who,” Ms Chant told reporters on Friday.

"We are wanting to put the whole group of people that attended that service on notice."

Sydney Church of Christ took to Facebook to inform the congregation to “stay safe and healthy”, refer to NSW Health and to reach out to Bible Talk Group Leaders for any concerns.

In a statement, Ryde Council said NSW Health told them there was an "extremely low risk" of infection for all other events held at the hall after the service.

"The Ryde Civic Hall undergoes regular cleaning after each hire of the venue including disinfecting doors and handrails and will undergo a further dep clean, which will include stringent infection control procedures."

No other events were held at Ryde Civic Hall on March 8 when the church service took place.

If you have any symptoms and attended the service contact The National coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080.