Covid in Cumberland and Parramatta: Everything you need to know about Covid-19
Two MPs have delivered a plea for the Premier to stop the ‘blunt use’ of public health orders on LGAs and called for certain suburbs with low Covid cases to be exempt. Follow our rolling coverage.
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Baulkham Hills and Seven Hills state Liberal MPs David Elliott and Mark Taylor have requested certain suburbs be removed from their respective local government areas of concern under the public health orders.
Mr Elliott wrote to Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Monday to say there were no new active cases in North Rocks, which until the 2016 council amalgamations, was largely in the Hills Shire LGA, before shifting to Parramatta.
“There are no new active cases and the vaccination rates are one of the highest across the state,’’ Mr Elliott said.
“I am not aware of any clinical evidence to suggest that North Rocks must be restricted in the same way as the rest of the Parramatta LGA.
“It would be greatly appreciated if you could please review the classification of North Rocks under the Parramatta LGA and advise of the government’s position in due course.’’
The Hills Shire, which takes in suburbs including Baulkham Hills and Castle Hill, neighbours Parramatta but is not an area of concern.
Mr Taylor, whose seat takes in Blacktown, The Hills and Parramatta council areas, also pleaded with the Premier for the “blunt application” of public health orders to apply to suburbs instead of LGAs, which are suffering “significant economic, educational and personal impacts”.
“Many in our community are essential workers across emergency services, health, transport and freight, teaching, construction or are key workers at local hospitals,’’ he said.
“They are doing an incredible job in keeping our state functioning during this pandemic. However, they, and their families, are paying the significant price of additional restrictions based on LGAS which they live in.’’
Mr Taylor, whose seat encompasses Blacktown, Parramatta and the Hills Shire councils, has called for Covid data to be collated by suburbs, not LGAs or postcodes.
Several postcodes cover multiple suburbs such as 2147 (Kings Langley, Lalor Park and Seven Hills), and across LGAs, such as 2145 (Constitution Hill, Pendle Hill, Wentworthville and Westmead), 2146 (Old Toongabbie and Toongabbie) and 2153 (Baulkham Hills and Winston Hills).
“Case numbers need to be presented and inform public health advice by suburbs so that communities can understand the risk of transmission in their local community,’’ Mr Taylor said.
“I am concerned the blunt use of LGAs or multi-suburb postcodes may lead to blanket restrictions that could have significant effect should outbreaks occur after the 70 per cent double vaccination easing of restrictions.’’
He said his constituents had strong vaccination rates.
“These communities should not be let down by postcodes or LGA boundaries for current or future restrictions relating to this pandemic,’’ he said.
“Workers in the LGAs of Blacktown and Parramatta, who are double vaccinated, deserve the right to return to work.”
Tuesday, September 14
NSW recorded two deaths and 1127 new Covid cases overnight.
Eight new cases were acquired overseas, one new case was acquired in Victoria, and 28 previously reported cases have been excluded following further investigation.
A woman in her 80s from western Sydney died at Ryde Hospital and a man in his 50s from western Sydney died at Concord Hospital.
There have been 186 Covid related deaths in NSW since the Delta outbreak on June 16, and 242 in total since the start of the pandemic.
There have been 39,954 locally acquired cases reported since the outbreak.
There are 1253 Covid patients seeking treatment in hospital, with 231 people in intensive care, 104 of whom require ventilation.
Monday, September 13 – Restrictions ease
After 12 weeks of lockdown 2.0, NSW residents who have received two doses of their Covid vaccine can enjoy some freedoms with picnics allowed but Premier Gladys Berejiklian urged the public to take up vaccination and not get complacent.
For Cumberland and Parramatta residents, and others who live in the LGAs of concern, a household with all adults vaccinated are allowed to have a picnic for up to two hours within 5km of their home. Outdoor exercise is also permitted.
For those who live outside the council areas of concern, up to five fully vaccinated adults can engage in outdoor recreation in a person’s LGA or within 5km of home. Children under 12 will not be counted in the total.
People who live alone in areas of concern can gather with one other adult for outdoor recreation within the same existing rules.
Andrew Jefferies, who represents Parramatta Council’s North Rocks ward, supported the MPs’ calls to end lockdowns and curfews for individual suburbs but said it reinforced the “pointless” decision to amend the LGA boundaries in 2016.
“Our community is rightly miffed with the health bureaucrat’s definition of areas of concern which have led to confusion for residents and business owners across both sides of the M2,’’ he said.
“However, many also believe that the decision by the NSW Government to redraw the LGA boundaries using arbitrary map lines had also contributed to this problem.”
Schools closed after Covid-positive cases
Dundas Public and Holroyd School at Merrylands, which educates children with intellectual disabilities, are among six schools that have shut from Friday for cleaning and contact tracing after members of the communities tested positive to Covid.
The NSW Education Department said Broderick Gillawarna School at Revesby, and Enfield, Rooty Hill and Yagoona public schools were the others shut until further notice.
Staff and students are asked to self-isolate and requested anyone who felt unwell such as a fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, loss of smell/taste, muscle/joint pains, diarrhoea, nausea/vomiting or extreme tiredness to receive a test.
Friday, September 10
NSW has recorded 1542 new Covid cases and nine Covid-related deaths including a man in his 30s and a woman in her 40s.
A man in his 60s from western Sydney died at home, a man in his 70s from southeastern Sydney died at Prince of Wales Hospital, a woman in her 40s from southwest Sydney died at Liverpool Hospital, a man in his 70s from Sydney’s south died at home, a woman in her 50s from the Central Coast died at Gosford Hospital, a man in his 60s from western Sydney died at Royal North Shore Hospital, a woman in her 80s from western Sydney died at Ryde Hospital, a man in his 30s from the Blue Mountains died at Nepean Hospital and man in his 50s from southwest Sydney died in Liverpool Hospital.
Deputy Chief Health Officer Marianne Gale said all the people who died had underlying conditions. Three were fully vaccinated, three had one dose and three were unvaccinated.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said 76.4 per cent of the population had received a first dose and 43.6 per cent are fully vaccinated.
There are 1156 Covid patients receiving treatment in hospital with 207 in intensive care and 89 of those require ventilation.
AstraZeneca available at Qudos Bank Arena
It has long been the hub of the Pfizer vaccine but from Friday, September 10, the AstraZeneca jab will be available for people aged 18 and over at the Qudos Bank Arena Vaccination Centre in Sydney Olympic Park.
Bookings can be made on-the-spot at NSW’s largest vaccination centre which has administered more than 210,000 vaccinations in one month of operation.
Western Sydney Local Health District chief executive Graeme Loy encouraged anyone not yet vaccinated to come forward to Qudos Bank Arena, where there is free parking and no lengthy queues.
“Qudos Bank Arena Vaccination Centre has demonstrated ability to vaccinate over 15,000 people a day and now even more appointments are available,” Mr Loy said.
“We have a very strong focus on the operations and flow of people, ensuring everyone is vaccinated as safely and quickly as possible. For most people the whole process has taken less than 40 minutes.”
Mr Loy said two doses of any Covid vaccine not only helped protect people from hospitalisation and death, but also helps reduce transmission of the virus. Two doses of any vaccine leads to about 90 per cent overall reduction in transmission of the virus.
For more information, visit nsw.gov.au/covid-1
Thursday, September 9
NSW recorded five deaths and 1405 Covid cases in NSW overnight as the state government gave residents something to look forward and revealed that restrictions would lift the Monday after 70 per cent of residents are double dosed.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said only fully vaccinated people and those with medical exemptions would have access to freedoms when Covid is lifted.
Gatherings in the home and public spaces:
● Up to five visitors will be allowed in a home where all adults are vaccinated (not including children 12 and under).
● Up to 20 people can gather in outdoor settings.
Venues including hospitality, retail stores and gyms:
● Hospitality venues can reopen subject to one person per 4sq m inside and one person per 2sq m outside, with standing while drinking permitted outside.
●·Retail stores can reopen under the one person per 4sq m rule (unvaccinated people will continue to only be able to access critical retail).
● Personal services such as hairdressers and nail salons can open with one person per 4sq m, capped at five clients per premises.
● Gyms and indoor recreation facilities can open under the one person per 4sq m rule and can offer classes for up to 20 people.
● Sporting facilities including swimming pools can reopen.
Stadiums, theatres and major outdoor recreation facilities:
● Major recreation outdoor facilities including stadiums, racecourses, theme parks and zoos can reopen with one person per 4sq m, capped at 5000 people.
● Up to 500 people can attend ticketed and seated outdoor events.
●·Indoor entertainment and information facilities including cinemas, theatres, music halls, museums and galleries can reopen with one person per 4sq m or 75 per cent fixed seated capacity.
Weddings, funerals and places of worship
● Up to 50 guests can attend weddings, with dancing permitted and eating and drinking only while seated.
● Up to 50 guests can attend funerals, with eating and drinking while seated.
●·Churches and places of worship to open subject to one person per 4sq m rule, with no singing.
Travel
● Domestic travel, including trips to regional NSW, will be permitted.
● Caravan parks and camping grounds can open.
● Carpooling will be permitted.
Non-vaccinated young people aged under 16 will be able to access all outdoor settings but will only be able to visit indoor venues with members of their household.
Employers must continue to allow employees to work from home if the employee is able to do so.
There will be revised guidance on isolation for close and casual contacts who are fully vaccinated, with details to be provided closer to the reopening date.
Masks
● Masks will remain mandatory for all indoor public venues, including public transport, front-of-house hospitality, retail and business premises, on planes and at airports.
● Only hospitality staff will be required to wear a mask when outdoors.
● Children aged under 12 will not need to wear a mask indoors.
However, there may be exceptions in LGAs of concern if case numbers grow.
“There may be times where there are high case numbers where there are targeted restrictions in place but this is a statewide road map,’’ NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said.
There are a total of 5737 people with Covid in the community — with the overwhelming number (4827) in Cumberland and 910 cases in Parramatta.
A total of 153 people have died of Covid since the second outbreak on June 16 and 209 since the start of the pandemic.
October is also expected to see cases peak.
There are 1175 Covid patients in hospital and for the first time the number of people in intensive car has reached 202, 80 of whom require ventilation.
‘We need life rafts’: Plea to save Guildford
Granville state Labor MP Julia Finn has issued an urgent plea for the government to improve contact tracing in her Covid-ravaged electorate — and says it’s even more important than vaccinations.
Speaking to the Parramatta Advertiser before a press conference with Opposition leader Chris Minns at Guildford on Wednesday afternoon, Ms Finn said 5.7 per cent of the suburb’s 24,500 residents had Covid, with 1408 people with the Delta strain on Tuesday.
She said more contact tracers to turn around results more quickly was needed to counter transmission in Guildford and the wider electorate where 2 per cent of the population has Covid.
“The biggest priority is contact tracing,’’ Ms Finn said.
“Even people who are following the rules have no idea for often over a week that they’re being exposed to Covid, and in the mean time they’re going to work and the shops.
“This is how transmission happens.’’
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she expected case numbers to peak next week but Ms Finn expects the virus to run rampant locally beyond mid September.
“I hope that it peaks very soon but I see no reason to think that that will be the case beyond the vaccination numbers,’’ she said.
“It’s like a natural disaster and it’s raining heavily everywhere so they don’t care it’s flooding here. It’s almost like vaccination is the solution to people in Guildford and Merrylands, it’s like there’s a big flood and they’re giving us swimming lessons.
“We need life rafts.’’
Ms Finn said Blacktown Hospital was the only walk-in vaccination clinic in the Western Sydney Local Health District after the centres operating at Cumberland Council facilities shut last week.
Western Sydney Local Health District said over 77 per cent of residents aged 16 and over in the Cumberland community had received their first dose of a Covid vaccination.
“WSLHD has delivered over 3300 Covid-19 vaccinations at walk-in Covid-19 vaccination clinics in the Cumberland area – and these clinics are continuing this week for community members due to receive their second doses.’’
“However, a spokesman said other residents aged 16 to 59 who had not received their first dose were urged to go to Qudos Bank Arena Vaccination Centre.
People are also able to get their vaccinations from their GP or local pharmacy, many of which have availability for vaccinations today,’’ the spokesman said.
On a positive note, testing times have improved for residents using the Guildford Swimming Centre facility after complaints were made to Health Minister Brad Hazzard about some residents having to way a week for results.
Ms Finn said private contractor Laverty pathology services had improved since complaints were made in August.
Calls to scrap 9pm curfew
Business Western Sydney executive director David Borger is backing calls for the end of curfews in Parramatta, Cumberland and the 10 other areas of concern.
“Western and southwestern Sydney have heeded the vaccination call and are now some of the leading areas in greater Sydney that have got first dose jabs into arms,’’ he said.
“We’ve been rewarded with being able exercise for an unlimited period daily, the next reward should be extended to scrapping curfews.’’
Mr Borger said the hospitality industry had felt the strain of the curfew.
“Enforcing this curfew has seen business such as restaurants – who are already under enormous strain pivoting to takeaway only – not being able to continue trading for customers to come and pick up their meals in person,’’ he said.
His pleas echo Deputy Premier John Barilaro’s calls this week when he broke ranks with Premier Gladys Berejiklian and said the 9pm rule was not effective in reducing growing case numbers.
“If they don’t work, then why punish western and southwestern Sydney even more by stopping people from going to a supermarket or picking up takeaway at 9.01pm?’’ Mr Borger said.
“The people of western and southwestern Sydney want to see the path out of lockdown. A positive, immediate and safe step is to scrap the curfew and start the process of bringing the two halves of our city back together.’’
Wednesday, September 8
A western Sydney man in his 20s was one of nine people who died of Covid overnight, when 1480 new cases were reported.
Deputy Chief Health Officer Dr Marianne Gale said the young man had serious underlying conditions and was unvaccinated when he died at Nepean Hospital.
A man in his 60s from Dubbo died at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, a man in his 90s from southeast Sydney died at St George Hospital after he acquired his infection from St George Aged Care Facility in Bexley where he was a resident, a southeastern Sydney man in his 80s died at Prince of Wales Hospital and a woman in her 60s from the Blue Mountains died at Nepean Hospital.
A man in his 70s from western Sydney died at St Vincent’s Hospital, a western Sydney man in his 80s died at Westmead Hospital, a southwestern Sydney man in his 70s died at Liverpool Hospital and a man in his 40s from southwest Sydney died at Liverpool Hospital.
There are 1136 Covid patients receiving treatment in hospital, 194 people in intensive care and 78 whom require ventilation. A total of 158 people in ICU are not vaccinated.
Residents in the Liverpool and Parramatta have been urged to come forward for vaccinations but areas of concern were outstripping the rest of Sydney with vaccination rates, such as Blackown, where nearly 88 per cent of the population has received its first dose.
“What is concerning us is that 80 per cent of cases are still in those areas of concern and we’d like to see that decrease, and there are glimmers of hope that some areas are seeing a stabilisation,’’ Ms Berejiklian said.
She said Covid would reach its peak next week and urged more people to take up vaccinations.
“I’ll stress again, that at 70 per cent double-dose vaccination everybody who is vaccinated at 70 per cent double dose vaccination will enjoy much more freedom than what we experience today,’’ she said.
“What is really important is keeping our eye focused on the vaccination rate and also how many people end up in ICU but we’re having those discussions about the road map every day and what life looks like.’’
Tuesday, September 7
NSW has recorded eight deaths and 1220 new Covid cases overnight.
The death of a woman in her 70s from western NSW at Dubbo Hospital was announced on Monday.
A man in his 90s from southeast Sydney died at St George Hospital, a man in his 50s from the Blue Mountains died at Nepean Hospital, a man in his 90s from southwestern Sydney died at Campbelltown Hospital after acquiring his infection from Advantage Aged Care Facility at Prestons Lodge where he was a resident.
A woman in her 70s from western Sydney died at Nepean Hospital, a southwest Sydney man in his 70s died at Liverpool Hospital, a man in his 80s from western Sydney died at Westmead Hospital and a man in his 60s from the Blue Mountains died at home.
There have now been 139 Covid deaths in NSW since the Delta outbreak in June and 195 since the start of the pandemic.
There are 1151 Covid cases admitted to hospital, with 192 people in intensive care, 75 of whom require ventilation.
‘Amazing heart and soul’: Young mother dies of Covid
Mother-of-four Jamila Yaghi has been one of the nation’s youngest Covid victims after the virus claimed her life on Wednesday night.
The unvaccinated 38-year-old recently moved to Bass Hill from Guildford, which is one of the worst Covid-ravaged NSW suburbs, and died after suffering a cardiac arrest from Covid.
Granville state Labor MP Julia Finn said Ms Yaghi was deeply engaged in the Cumberland community.
“She leaves behind four children and an extended family and many, many friends who loved her dearly,’’ she said.
“It’s absolutely devastating because the infection rates so high in our area.
“She moved to Canterbury Bankstown but Cumberland has the highest infection rates — it’s close to 3800 today. It’s about 2 per cent of my electorate has Covid, which is just terrifying.’’
Friends also took to social media to express their heartbreak over Mrs Yaghi’s death.
“I’m absolutely shattered and broken; a human who had the most amazing heart and soul who would run for others and bring laughter and joy in their lives and would forget her own grief!,’’ Sussane Ramlawie said.
“You were one of a kind, most loyal friend ever.’’
Ms Finn said Ms Yaghi’s death highlighted the extent of the Covid crisis in Cumberland and has called for more assistance from Health Minister Brad Hazzard and Premier Gladys Berejiklian.
“We’ve got a natural disaster unfolding,’’ she said.
“Every day for three weeks they’re naming suburbs in my electorate as the worst.
“I would have expected a call by now.’’
Monday, September 6
NSW recorded five deaths and 1281 Covid cases overnight, 204 fewer than Sunday.
A man in his 90s from southeast Sydney died at St George Hospital after he acquired the infection from St George Aged Care Facility at Bexley.
A woman in her 80s from northern Sydney died at Ryde Hospital, a woman in her 50s from western Sydney died at Westmead Hospital, a woman in her 80s from western Sydney died at Westmead Hospital and a Southern Highlands man in his 60s died at home.
There have been 131 Covid deaths in NSW since the June 16 outbreak and 187 in total since the start of the pandemic.
There are 1071 cases admitted to hospital, with 177 people in intensive care, 67 of whom require ventilation.
Friday, September 3
Covid’s grip on NSW continues to tighten after 12 deaths and 1431 cases reported overnight — the deadliest day since the pandemic started.
The total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic is 30,618.
A woman in her 30s from southwest Sydney died at home on September 1. Investigations are underway into the source of her infection.
A man in his 70s from southeastern Sydney died at St George Hospital. He was a resident of St George Aged Care Facility in Bexley and acquired his infection there.
A woman in her 70s from southwest Sydney died at Westmead Hospital, where she acquired her infection.
A woman in her 80s from southwest Sydney died at Westmead Hospital, a man in his 80s from southwest Sydney died at Liverpool Hospital, a man in his 70s from south western Sydney died at Concord Hospital, two women in their 70s from southwest Sydney died at Liverpool Hospital and a man in his 70s from Sydney’s north died at Hornsby Hospital.
A woman in her 60s from southwest Sydney died at Liverpool Hospital, a man in his 70s from southwest Sydney died at St George Hospital and a man in his 90s from the Blue Mountains died at the Hawkesbury Living Aged Care Facility.
A total of 119 people have died of Covid in NSW since June 16 and 175 in total since the start of the pandemic.
There are 979 Covid patients in hospital, with 160 people in intensive care, 63 of whom require ventilation.
Thursday, September 2
NSW recorded seven deaths and 1288 new locally acquired Covid cases overnight, a sharp rise since Wednesday when 1116 were reported.
A southwest Sydney man in his 80s died at Campbelltown Hospital, a woman in her 80s from southwestern Sydney died at Liverpool Hospital and a man from southwest Sydney in his 70s died at Liverpool Hospital after acquiring the infection from there. His death is the 12th fatality linked to the hospital outbreak.
A man in his 80s from Sydney’s north died at Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital after he was infected at the hospital.
A man in his 50s from southwestern Sydney died at Royal North Shore Hospital, a man in his 80s from southwestern Sydney died at St George Hospital and a woman in her 70s from southwest Sydney died in Campbelltown Hospital.
There have been 107 Covid deaths in NSW since the second outbreak on June 16 and 163 since the start of the pandemic.
There are 957 Covid patients in hospital, with 160 people in intensive care, 64 of whom require ventilation.
The total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic is 29,202.
Brothel owner charged
Police have issued $12,500 worth of fines and charged a brothel owner for allegedly breaching public health orders at the Rydalmere premises on Monday night.
Cumberland police swooped on the brothel at 10.15pm after receiving a tip-off on Crime Stoppers that it was operating in breach of public health orders.
Police spoke with the 57-year-old female owner before entering the premises and alleging three women aged 31, 36 and 56, and two male customers aged 56 and 57, were not wearing face masks.
Police allege all parties initially denied the business was operating, including one man allegedly stating he was quoting for painting works, and the other visiting his girlfriend.
Police soon confirmed the business had been operating, and the group was advised they would each receive a PIN for not wearing face masks and all but the 36-year-old woman, who was living at the location, would receive a PIN for breaching curfew in an area of concern.
The owner was issued a $5000 PIN for failing to comply with noticed direction – corporation.
All parties were directed to return to their homes, but a short time later, police alleged the 31-year-old woman attempting to return to the location.
She was arrested and taken to Granville police station where she was charged with not comply with curfew-area of concern and not wearing a fitted face covering indoor area of common property.
The Strathfield woman was granted conditional bail and is due to appear at Parramatta Local Court on October 5.
Wednesday, September 1
NSW recorded 1116 cases and four deaths overnight.
A woman in her 80s from southwest Sydney died at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, a woman
in her 60s from western Sydney died at Concord Hospital, a woman in her 50s from southwestern Sydney died at Liverpool hospital and a woman in her 70s from southwest Sydney died at Liverpool Hospital.
There have been 100 Covid-19 related deaths in NSW since the second outbreak on June 16, and 156 since the start of the pandemic.
Two new cases were acquired overseas in the 24 hours to 8pm last night, and 16 previously reported cases have been excluded following further investigation.
The total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic is 27,922.
Two new cases were acquired overseas in the 24 hours to 8pm last night, and 16 previously reported cases have been excluded following further investigation. The number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic is 27,922.
There are 917 Covid patients in hospital, with 150 people in intensive care, 66 of whom require ventilation.
Tuesday, August 31
NSW recorded a slight decrease of 1164 new locally acquired Covid cases and three deaths overnight.
A woman in her 50s from southwest Sydney died at Campbelltown Hospital, a man
in his 80s from the Sydney City died at St Vincent’s Hospital and a man in his 90s from south west Sydney died at Campbelltown Hospital.
There have been 96 Covid-related deaths in NSW since the second outbreak on June 16 and 152 since the start of the pandemic.
Four new cases were acquired overseas and 16 previously reported cases have been excluded following further investigation. The total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic is 26,820.
There have been 21,208 locally acquired cases reported since June 16.
Monday, August 31
The number of Covid cases in NSW has reached a record high of 1290 cases and four deaths on Monday.
Overwhelmingly — 80 per cent — of locally acquired cases are from western and southwestern Sydney, with suburbs including Merrylands, Guildford, Auburn and Bankstown remain areas of concern.
“We are still seeing such a high cases rate from those suburbs so I can’t urge you enough to please come forward for testing but, importantly, be very careful in the way you move about in your community, and follow those public health measures,’’ Chief Heatlh Officer Dr Kerry Chant said.
Exposure sites
Anyone who attended the Quality Medical Practice at Merrylands is a close contact and must get tested and isolate for 14 days since they were there, regardless of the result.
A positive case visited the centre at 417 Merrylands Rd on
● Monday August 23, 9am to 7pm
● Tuesday August 24, 9am to 7pm
● Wednesday August 25, 9am to 7pm
● Thursday August 26, 9am to 7pm
● Friday August 27, 9am to 7pm
● Saturday August 28, 9am to 7pm
Friday, August 27
NSW recorded 882 new locally acquired Covid cases on Friday, down from the record 1029 people who tested positive on Thursday.
A man in his 60s who died at Nepean Hospital is the third death linked to the hospital outbreak while a western Sydney man in his 90s died at Concord Hospital after he acquired his infection at Canterbury Hospital. His is the fifth death linked to an outbreak at this hospital.
There have been 81 Covid-related deaths in NSW since the current outbreak that started on June 16. There have been 137 in total since the start of the pandemic.
There are 767 Covid cases admitted to hospital, with 117 people in intensive care, 47 of whom require ventilation.
Thursday, August 26
NSW has recorded its worst day of the pandemic with almost 1029 locally acquired cases and three deaths.
Three men, aged in their 30s, 60s and 80s, died in their homes in western Sydney between August 17 and 21.
Granville, Merrylands, Auburn and Guildford are high areas of concern.
A total of 65 people were infectious in the community and 185 are linked to a known case or cluster – 160 are household contacts and 25 are close contacts – and the source of infection for 844 cases is under investigation.
Five new cases were acquired overseas overnight and 18 previously reported cases have been excluded following further investigation.
The total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic is 21,282.
NSW Health extends its deepest sympathies to their loved ones.
There are currently 698 Covid cases admitted to hospital, with 116 people in intensive care and 43 who require ventilation.
Restrictions ease
Some relief is on its way for people with two vaccinations but it only applies for LGAs of concern from Monday, September 13.
● For those who live outside the LGAs of concern, outdoor gatherings of up to five people (including children, all adults must be vaccinated) will be allowed in a person’s LGA or within 5km of home.
● For those who live in the LGAs of concern households with all adults vaccinated will be able to gather outdoors for recreation (including picnics) within the existing rules (for one hour only, outside curfew hours and within 5km of home). This is in addition to the one hour allowed for exercise.
Young and living with Covid
A 29-year-old man who caught Covid shows how virulent the Delta strain is; he is still baffled about how he tested positive.
Joseph Portelli works at Calypso Bakery in Pendle Hill Meat Market, where his parents Joseph and Miriam run the successful pie shop.
Mr Portelli undertook a mandatory test for food workers and despite being asymptomatic, discovered he had Covid on Sunday August 15, forcing the temporary closure of Calypso.
“I was a bit shocked,’’ Mr Portelli said.
“I had no idea how I got it. Deep down I thought ‘No, maybe it’s a mistake or something. I had no symptoms, I’d only been to work, there were no cases at work.’’
“I have no idea because lately I’ve only been working out the back in the kitchen. I’ve hardly been at the front so I couldn’t have got it from there (customers).’’
Apart from going to work, Mr Portelli said he only went to a petrol station and Coles at Kellyville Village.
The Kellyville man, who was due to be vaccinated a week after his diagnosis, lives with his parents and older brother and is confined to his bedroom.
They undertake tests regularly and do not have the virus, nor do their workmates at the bakery.
Like many other patients, NSW Health offered Mr Portelli to stay at a hotel and police visited him the day after he was diagnosed.
However, there was no follow up call from health authorities until more than a week after the original phone call on August 24.
It left Mr Portelli “with no idea what to do”.
“I need to know what to do, do I go get another test, or what? And I don’t even exactly know when to go. It’s a bit hard to know whoever you call, you wait an hour. Once I did call because they said it might be a bit better to get a hotel and I thought it would be good too, to keep away from the rest of the family, and they took all my details and they never got back.’’
NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant acknowledged the health system was under pressure and blamed the delay from health authorities on slow testing turnaround times and surging case numbers.
“I think we have to be very honest that the surge in cases has put stress on both health system and the public health contact tracers,’’ she told the media on Wednesday.
Dr Chant said patients received a text message with a phone number, while adding police would be conducting daily welfare checks.
Mr Portelli suffered a fever for the first three days but is recovering well.
“It was a bit hard at first,’’ he said.
“I knew I was fine but I was just worried my family would get it, but it’s a bit frustrating sitting in your room.’’
Thursday August 25
NSW has recorded 919 locally acquired cases and two deaths while Westmead Hospital bears the brunt of surging cases.
Auburn, Guildford, Granville, Greystanes and Merrylands continue to be suburbs of concern along with Punchbowl, Bankstown and Yagoona in southwest Sydney.
Two deaths were recorded, including Covid’s youngest woman in NSW, mother-of-three Inatea Isaako, who was found dead at her Emerton home on Monday. The Coroner is investigating the death.
A man in his 80s from Sydney’s north died at Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital, having acquired his infection at the Greenwood Aged Care in Normanhurst. His is the third death linked to an outbreak at the aged care facility.
Of the locally acquired cases, the source of infection for 758 cases is under investigation and 37 cases were infectious in the community.
The total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic is 20,266.
There have been 14,673 locally acquired cases reported since June 16, when the first case in this outbreak was reported.
There are currently 645 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 113 people in intensive care and 40 who require ventilation.
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said 280 Covid patients were taken to Westmead Hospital by ambulance last week.
The hospital has declared a crisis with a suspension of Covid patients for 24 hours and staff instigating an urgent review of how it handles Covid patients.
Asked if a Covid-only hospital would be considered, Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said field hospitals were not what Sydney needed.
“We need copious oxygen supplies, we need a safe environment, we need social distancing, we need beds, we need ability to feed people, care for them, access to drugs, access to IV therapies, access to ICU,’’ she said.
“We do have a number of facilities and we have got the capacity to work with our private hospitals, of which we have significant bed capacity, and our hospitals will be doing a lot of local planning about which patients are best cared for in which circumstance.’’
Tuesday, August 24
NSW has recorded a dip in Covid cases with 753 recorded on Tuesday and no deaths, compared with 818 cases and three deaths on Monday.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian offered a glimmer of hope after announcing the state had reached six million inoculations, with the areas of concern including Blacktown having the highest vaccination rates.
Sixty per cent of NSW’s population has at least one dose and 32 per cent are double-dosed, making it one of the most vaccinated places in the world.
On Thursday or Friday, Ms Berejiklian will reveal what extra freedoms fully vaccinated NSW residents can enjoy from September.
A total of 107 Covid patients are in intensive care and 95 are not vaccinated and 12 have received their first dose.
Auburn, Guildford, Merrylands, Blacktown Yagoona, Bankstown and Punchbowl remain on extra high alert.
Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said while 80 per cent vaccination rates meant options and choices but long-term restrictions could be imposed.
“It may be that we have indoor mask wearing for years in certain settings,’’ she said.
“We may have factors that you’re only permitted to go certain high-risk venues if you’re vaccinated and show proof of vaccination.
“The world is grappling with how we coexist with Covid and this virus may throw us curveballs. We’ve got the Delta variant, God help us if we have another variant.’’https://bit.ly/2VmSDsH
Wednesday, August 18
Covid’s Delta strain has just become more dire in the community with three deaths and most of the record 633 cases in NSW coming from the west and southwestern suburbs including those in the Cumberland local government area.
Overnight, Merrylands, Guildford and Auburn remain areas of concern, along with St Marys, Strathfield, Greenacre and Yagoona.
“What the data is telling us in the last few days is that we haven’t seen the worst of it,’’ Premier Gladys Berejiklian said.
“The way we stop this is by everybody staying at home.
“At the moment everybody that has the virus is spreading it to about 1.3 people. We need that number to be below one.’’
A total of the 62 of the locally acquired cases were infectious in the community.
Southwest and western Sydney’s mobile workforce remains a key driver of Covid transmission.
“We also know a small proportion of people are not perhaps taking Covid as seriously as I would like them to,’’ Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said.
“What’s happening is they’re potentially going to multiple households.’’
There are 422 in hospital including 77 in intensive care and 25 whom require ventilation.
An unvaccinated man in his late 60s from southwestern Sydney died at Liverpool Hospital.
He was a patient in the geriatric ward at the hospital and is the ninth death linked to the June 16 outbreak.
Two men in their 70s and from western Sydney died at Nepean Hospital. One was unvaccinated and one had received just one dose of a vaccine.
Tuesday, August 17
A staff member in the bakery of Pendle Hill Meat Market has tested positive to Covid, forcing temporary closure of the Bungaree Rd venue until Wednesday.
The case is not listed on the NSW Health website but details posted on the Bungaree Rd’s Facebook page reveal the Calypso Cafe worker tested positive from Thursday August 12 to Saturday August 14.
“The staff member is at home and in the care of NSW Health and at this stage is well within minimal complications from the virus.
“NSW Health contact tracing are evaluating close contacts and all meat market staff will stay home until their contact status is determined by NSW Health.’’
The bakery will close for at least 14 days and meat market staff will reopen tomorrow from 6.30am.
In July, Prospect state Labor MP Hugh McDermott called for mobile vaccination clinics to open at food manufacturing and processing plants so a supply disaster could be averted.
Mr McDermott said if one worker was infected at key food manufacturing premises, the whole workplace would shut and the impact on the food supply would be immediate.
Baiada Poultry at Girraween, Zammit Ham & Bacon Curers at Pendle Hill and Cordina Farms at Girraween are some of the major workplaces that distribute food to supermarkets across Sydney.
The fresh exposure site comes as a woman in her 70s died of Covid at Westmead Hospital overnight when NSW recorded 452 new cases, including 30 which were infectious in the community.
The death has brought the number of Covid-related deaths since the second outbreak to 57, and the number of lives lost to 113 since the beginning of the pandemic.
There have been 8654 locally acquired cases reported since June 15, when the first case in this outbreak was reported.
There are 447 cases admitted to hospital, with 69 people in intensive care, 24 of whom require ventilation.
There were 151,767 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with the previous day’s total of 156,495.
Casual contacts
Anyone who attended this venue is a casual contact and must get tested and self-isolate until they receive a negative result. If your date of exposure at this venue occurred in last 4 days, you must get another test on day 5 from the date of exposure. Wear a mask around others and limit your movements until you get another negative result. You should continue to monitor for symptoms and if any symptoms occur, get tested again.
● Auburn McDonald’s
116 Parramatta Road
7:15pm to 7:25pm on Wednesday 4 August 2021
● Birrong Pharmacy
89 Auburn Road, 11:55am to 12:05pm on Monday 9 August 2021
● Shell Coles Express Lidcombe
18 Parramatta Road, 12:30pm to 6:05am on Monday 9 August 2021
● Toongabbie Ceylon Spice Market
15-19 Toongabbie Road 4:10pm to 4:30pm on Friday 6 August 2021
● Toongabbie Falak Indian Cuisine
M49/17-19 Aurelia Street 6pm to 6:45pm on Friday 6 August 2021
● Westmead Balaji Grocery Westmead
2/9-11 Hassall Street 10am to 10:30am on Wednesday 4 August 2021
● Westmead Speedway Westmead
67-69 Hawkesbury Road 12pm to 12:10pm on Monday 9 August 2021
● Caltex Granville
158 Clyde Street 3:20pm to 3:30pm on Monday 9 August 2021
● Lidcombe Chubby Buns Burgers
78 Parramatta Road 10:50pm to 11pm on Friday 6 August 2021
● Toongabbie Suryam Fresh
17-19 Aurelia Street 2:40pm to 2:55pm on Tuesday 3 August 2021
Monday, August 16
The number of Covid cases has jumped to 478 overnight when seven deaths including 15-year-old boy from southwest Sydney.
Osama Suduh died of meningitis while infected with Covid, making him the state’s youngest Covid victim after he lost his life at the Sydney Children’s Hospital on Sunday.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said cases were “disturbingly high’’ and escalating in Merrylands, Guildford, Granville, Blacktown, Mt Druitt, Yagoona, Greenacre and Bankstown.
“These are the suburbs where growth is continuing and we really need people in those communities just to stay home, don’t leave your house unless they absolutely have to,’’ she said.
A total of 61 from the 478 cases were infectious in the community.
On Monday, 500 extra Australian Defence Force officers were deployed to crack down on compliance, taking the number of army personnel to 1800 and 18,000 police for Operation Stay at Home.
GUILDFORD TESTING CLINIC OVERWHELMED
Calls have been made for the State Government to use another company to undertake Covid testing at the under-resourced Guildford Swimming Centre after residents have complained about being forced to wait almost a week to receive results.
After a deluge complaints over delays among locals, Granville and Fairfield state Labor MPs Julia Finn and Guy Zangari will call for Health Minister Brad Hazzard to dump private contractor Laverty pathology services, which is understood to be cutting hours at the Tamplin Rd clinic.
“The rumour mill in Guildford is already to not bother going to Guildford pool because it will take four or five days to get the test results back, and people are going to other testing centres,’’ Ms Finn said.
“There’s almost never a queue there because so many people have heard this rumour and yet I’m still getting complaints from people waiting four, five, sometimes six days to get their results back from Guildford pool.
“I’ve had as many, if not more, complaints about Guildford pool than all the other testing centres put together.’’
Covid has been escalating in Guildford for the past three days but has long been a hotspot since the Delta strain caused the second wave in mid June.
Ms Finn said it was critical test results were returned swiftly in the hotspot filled with authorised workers.
“It’s not fair on people to have to isolate at home until they get their test results when it should be 24 to 48 hours and they’re stuck at home for five days,’’ she said.
“It’s not fair on people who have to get surveillance tested every three days to be presenting results that are, for a test taken five days before. That’s a lot of exposure time for people going to work and might be asymptomatic.’’
Friday, October 13
A total of 58 cases were infectious in the community and 140 are linked to a known case or cluster, with 118 being household contacts, while 22 are close contacts and the source of infection for 250 cases in under investigation.
A woman from southwest Sydney died at home and acquired the virus from a close contact on August 7.
A Newcastle man in his 90s died at RFBI Hawkins Masonic Retirement Village in Edgeworth, where he became infected after a staff member tested positive of the outbreak at the facility linked to a Covid positive staff member.
The Covid death toll from the recent outbreak has now brought the death toll to 38 and 95 since the beginning of the pandemic.
There are currently 391 Covid patients in hospital, with 63 people in intensive care, 30 of whom require ventilation.
The ICU patients include four in their 20s, six are in their 30s, five in their 40s and 15 in their 50s.
Help is on its way
Cumberland residents struggling through Covid lockdown are about to be given some much-needed relief in the form of hearty lasagnes, shepherd’s pies and fresh produce as part of a drive to help residents make ends meet.
Cumberland councillor Joseph Rahme has enlisted the help of Salt Ash farmer Robert Mackenzie, who has donated 300kg of angus beef mince, while Hilltop Fruit Market at Merrylands, Trims at Stockland and Woolworths Merrylands have also chipped in with fruit and vegetables.
Cr Rahme and two anonymous donors will provide 300 boxes of fresh produce
to help 300 households put food on the table from August 18.
About $20,000 worth of meat and $10,000 worth of produce will be prepared by council chefs at the Holroyd Centre in Merrylands before Australian Defence Force personnel drop off the meals across the hard-hit Covid local government area, which sprawls from Toongabbie to Lidcombe.
“I actually think it’s great because it shows the people of Cumberland that the Army’s here to help for humanitarian reasons,’’ Cr Rahme said.
“We’re not going into a military state where they’re roaming the streets with guns. I actually think it’s a beautiful gesture.’’
After seeing residents suffer through almost seven weeks of lockdown, Cr Rahme wanted to do more to unite the community and with the instrumental help of Meat and Livestock
Australia employee and Guildford resident, Sam Burke and Belinda Barakat, the ball got rolling.
“We’re just in a time where there’s so much finger pointing. Politicians are finger pointing, criticising each other,’’ Cr Rahme said.
“People say people should take pay cuts, there’s fighting, there’s division and the last thing we need is division.
“At the moment it’s the western suburbs versus everyone else. I can change things locally … and do something that’s going to make a difference. At the moment we need unity.
“It’s a scary time for everyone.’’
Mr Mackenzie from Macka’s Australian Black Angus Beef farms and wholesalers at Salt Ash, near Port Stephens, said it was his opportunity to give back to the city that supported the bush.
“The city always digs deep in times of flood, drought and bushfire for farmers and regional communities and this is an opportunity for us to give to the city during their time of need,” he said.
Bidfood at Girraween and Confoil Australia in Victoria have also donated food and trays and packaging respectively.
Cr Rahme said if demand was strong, he would look at continuing the project.
On Wednesday August 18, the council will also decide whether half of the councillors’ pay until December is donated to charities to support those struggling through Covid.
● Register your interest call 8757 9000 or register here.
Close contacts
Anyone who attended Green Farm Meat at 1/55 Marion St, Harris Park, on Monday August 2 from 7am to 9pm and August 3 is a close contact and must get tested and isolate for 14 days since they were there, regardless of the result.
NSW Health sends a text message to people who have checked in at close contact venues with further information. It also makes a follow-up call to close contacts to discuss the isolation and testing requirements.
Two deaths were recorded in NSW on Friday, including a man in his 90s from southwest Sydney who died at Liverpool Hospital, taking the number of deaths linked to that outbreak to seven.
A man in his 90s also succumbed to Covid after contracting it from the Wyoming Nursing Home, Summer Hill, on July 31.
NSW recorded 345 cases on Thursday, with 57 infectious in the community.
There are 374 Covid patients in hospital, 62 in intensive care and 29 in ventilation. There are three in their 20s, seven in their 30s, five in their 40s, 13 from the 50s, 13 in their 60s, 19 in their 70s and two in their 80s.
A total of 57 patients in intensive care were not vaccinated and five had received just one dose of Pfizer or AstraZeneca.
Close contacts
Anyone who attended the Toohey’s Brewery at Nyrang St, Lidcombe, on Tuesday August 3 from 1.55pm to 4pm is a close contact and must get tested and isolate for 14 days since they were there, regardless of the result.
NSW Health sends a text message to people who have checked in at close contact venues with further information. It also makes a follow-up call to close contacts to discuss the isolation and testing requirements.
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