Covid in Cumberland and Parramatta: Everything you need to know about Covid-19

One Cumberland suburb remains an area of concern among health authorities, just days shy of restrictions easing. Follow our rolling coverage.

NSW has recorded 11 deaths and 646 new Covid cases on Friday — an increase of 59 since yesterday — but suburbs including Merrylands are still recording high rates of transmission.

“While it’s pleasing that we’ve seen declines in southwestern Sydney and western Sydney, we still have those suburbs of concern around Greenacre, Yagoona, Panania, Lakemba, Blacktown and in the Hunter area Cessnock, and Liverpool and in western Sydney Merrylands,’’

Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said.

Covid transmission remains high in Merrylands. Picture: Troy Snook

On Wednesday night, councillor Lisa Lake argued it was too early for Cumberland to be removed as an area of concern, noting that the 2145 postcode had 114 active cases, 2160 had 110, 2161 had 136, 2142 had 98, 2144 had 86, 2141 had 25 and 2146 had 28.

“I’m also worried about our vaccination rates. The postcodes around Merrylands, Guildford and Granville, the double vaccination rate as of the 4th of October, and also Auburn, is 50 to 59 per cent,’’ she said.

The only postcodes to achieve the 70 per cent double dose targets were 2146 and 2145 (including Toongabbie, Wentworthville and Constitution Hill).

Dr Chant urged more people to get vaccinated, two days after the state reached its target of 70 per cent of residents being double-vaccinated.

She said NSW needed to achieve “well over 90 per cent double vaccination”.

“We are looking forward to opening up on Monday but it is important that as we do, we do it safely,’’ Dr Chant said.

“Please remember that it’s critical that you continue to wear you masks where they’re required, continue to maintain that physical distancing and most importantly, do not go out and about if you have Covid symptoms.

“Instead, get tested and isolate and wait until you've got a negative result.

“It’s an exciting time but I caution us to do everything safely.’’

Two women and nine men died from Covid, including five people southwestern Sydney, three from western Sydney, one from southeastern Sydney, one from the inner city and one from the lower north shore.

Seven people were not vaccinated, three received one dose of the vaccine and one had been double-vaccinated.

The fatalities takes the number of deaths in NSW since the Delta outbreak on June 16 to 414 and 470 since the pandemic started.

Second death linked to aged care home

A man in his 70s has become the second resident of the Northcourt Aged Care home at North Parramatta to die after contracting Covid at the facility.

The man died at Westmead Hospital, four days after a woman in her 80s died at Campbelltown Hospital after also acquiring her infection at the Saunders Rd aged care facility.

Overnight there were 10 deaths — seven men and three women — and 594 new Covid cases recorded.

The deaths included a person in their 40s, another person in their 60s, four people in their 70s, two people in their 80s and two people in their 90s.

Two people have died of Covid after acquiring the virus from the Northcourt Aged Care home at North Parramatta. Picture: Google Maps

Five people were from southwestern Sydney, three people were from western Sydney, one person was from Wollongong and one person was from the Edward River region.

Three people were not vaccinated, four people had received one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, and three people had received two doses.

Three people – a man in his 60s and two men in their 80s – acquired their infections at the Allity Beechwood aged care facility in Revesby. These are the first deaths linked to an outbreak at the facility.

A woman in her 70s from the Edward River region died at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne. She acquired her infection in the community before being transferred to Melbourne for further specialist care.

There have been 395 Covid-related deaths in NSW since the Delta outbreak on June 16.

There are currently 959 Covid patients in hospital, with 188 people in intensive care, 93 of whom require ventilation.

Tuesday, October 5

NSW has recorded 608 new Covid cases overnight when seven people — six men and one woman — died.

One person was in their 50s, two people were in their 60s, three people were in their 70s and one person was in their 80s.

Five people were from southwestern Sydney, one person was from western Sydney, and one person was from Dubbo.

Five people were not vaccinated, and two people had received one dose of a Covid vaccine.

The seven deaths takes the death toll since the Delta outbreak on June 16 to 385 and 441 since the start of the pandemic.

Most of the new cases recorded on Tuesday were from southwest Sydney (183), followed by western Sydney (96), Hunter New England (65), Illawarra Shoalhaven (51), South Eastern Sydney (50), Sydney (40), southeastern Sydney (50), Central Coast (28) Nepean Blue Mountains LHD (24), Northern Sydney (24), Southern NSW (19), Western NSW LHD (eight) Northern NSW (six) Mid North Coast (two), Murrumbidgee (one), four are in correctional centres and seven are yet to be assigned to a local health district.

Across NSW, 88.5 per cent of people aged 16 and over have received a first dose of Covid-19 vaccine, and 67.5 per cent were fully vaccinated to 11.59pm on October 3.

By comparison, 66.1 per cent Cumberland residents aged 15 and over are double dosed and 72.4 per cent of residents in the Parramatta local government area have received two vaccines as of Tuesday October 5, just a week short of restrictions lifting once the state reaches 70 per cent for those double dosed on October 11.

Charity jab

A charity that is churning out 1500 food hampers for Sydneysiders doing it tough during the pandemic has now organised a pop-up vaccination clinic at its Clyde headquarters.

Turbans 4 Australia’s base at 14 Martha St will convert to a vaccination hub on Tuesday, October 5 when Pfizer vaccines will be administered to the general public including temporary and refugee visa holders.

“A lot of people were actually asking saying ‘We haven’t got a vaccination’,’’ Turbans 4 Australia president Amar Singh said.

“There’s a lot of international students and residents on Visas and a lot of them think they’re not eligible.’’

Turbans 4 Australia’s Clyde headquarters will become a pop-up vaccination clinic on October 5. Picture: Jonathan Ng

The Sikh organisation has teamed up with Bill Crews Foundation and Aspen Medical to roll out the jab hub from 9am to 3pm, before it reopens on October 26 for second doses.

The big-hearted Turbans 4 Australia started sending up to 500 food hampers to people in need at the beginning of lockdown in June but demand has grown and volunteers are now distributing 1500 packages a week.

No appointments to attend the pop-up vaccination clinic are necessary.

Meanwhile, volunteers, charities, frontline and essential workers have been thanked with several banners adorning the streets of Cumberland.

Cumberland councillor Ola Hamed with Cumberland commander Paul Devaney.

Councillor Ola Hamed thanked them for serving and caring for the community each day during the pandemic.

“Thank you for remaining calm and being patient,’’ she said.

“Thank you for your courage and compassion. Thank you for your selflessness and commitment to helping so many people.

“We know you have been pushed to the brink and yet you still work to keep our families protected and well cared for.

“You touch many peoples lives with ripples you will never know that are making a difference

I know it might often be a thankless job but please know there are so many of us out here that are so appreciative of you.

“I cannot even begin to imagine the world you have been living in during Covid.’’

Friday, October 1

NSW recorded 864 new Covid cases overnight and the deaths of 15 people – eight women and seven men.

Three people were in their 50s, two people were in their 60s, two people were in their 70s, six people in their 80s, and two people were in their 90s.

Five people were from western Sydney, four were from southwestern Sydney, three were from the Nepean Blue Mountains area, two people were from Sydney’s inner west, and one person was from southeastern Sydney.

Nine people were not vaccinated, one had received one dose of a Covid vaccine and five people had received two doses of a vaccine.

Two people from the Nepean Blue Mountains area who died acquired their infections in an aged care setting – a woman in her 90s at the Hawkesbury Living Aged Care Facility in Richmond and a woman in her 80s at the Uniting Springwood Aged Care Facility.

Two people who died acquired their infections in a hospital – a man in his 80s from south eastern Sydney at the Mater Hospital and a woman in her 80s at Westmead Hospital.

One person died at home – a woman in her 50s from Sydney’s southwest who tested positive to Covid following her death.

Thursday, September 30

Six deaths and a rise in Covid cases in NSW has been recorded after 941 acquired the virus overnight — 78 more than Wednesday.

Four men and two women died after becoming infected with Covid.

Two people were from southwest Sydney, one person was from Sydney’s inner west, one person was from western Sydney, one person was from Sydney’s southeast, and one person was from northwestern Sydney.

Four people were not vaccinated and two people had received one dose of a Covid vaccine.

There have been 337 Covid deaths in NSW since the Delta outbreak in June 16 and 393 since the start of the pandemic.

Wednesday, September 29

NSW has recorded its deadliest day of Covid with 15 deaths overnight, when 863 cases were acquired.

Eight men and seven women died from the virus — two people were in their 40s, two were in their 50s, four people were in their 60s, three people were in their 70s, one in their 80s, and three people were in their 90s.

One person had received two doses of a Covid vaccine, five people had received one dose of a Covid vaccine, and nine people were not vaccinated.

Five people were from southwestern Sydney, three people were from western Sydney, one person was from Sydney’s inner west, one person was from southeastern Sydney, one person was from Sydney’s eastern suburbs, one person was from Newcastle, one person was from Lake Macquarie, one person was from Dubbo, and one person was from Bateman’s Bay.

A man in his 40s from western Sydney died at Nepean Hospital. He was not vaccinated and had underlying health conditions.

Two people from south western Sydney who died acquired their infections at Liverpool Hospital – a man in his 60s and a woman in her 90s.

Two people died at home. A man in his 40s from Lake Macquarie was not vaccinated and was receiving care in the community from Hunter New England Local Health District. He had underlying health conditions.

A woman in her 70s from Batemans Bay who died at home had received two doses of a Covid vaccine but had only received the second dose shortly before her death. She had underlying health conditions and was diagnosed with COVID-19 following her death.

There have been 331 Covid related deaths in NSW since the June 16 outbreak and 387 in total since the start of the pandemic.

There are 1082 Covid cases hospital, with 212 people in intensive care, 108 of whom require ventilation.

More help at hand for Parramatta community

Parramatta Council has extended its Covid relief package until December 31.

Under the plan, which was originally due to wrap up on September 26, 10 items are addressed including waiving interest on late rate payments if residents satisfy the rates hardship policy, waiving licence fees for outdoor dining, food stalls and temporary premises; and waiving fees for community halls, parks and community venues.

Restaurants which reopen on October 11 are to get some relief with the council suspending the licence and approval fees for outdoor dining licences at venues including Parramatta Square.

Outdoor dining fees at venues including LilyMu Parramatta Square will be waived until the end of the year. Picture: Monique Harmer

Grace periods will also be in place for on-street parking, while continuing to enforce illegal parking to ensure public safety and turnover for short stay parking to support local businesses.

Council will also reduce and change time limits in a number of local on-street parking locations to assist takeaway services, support local business and hospital staff.

These measures will remain in place until occupancy reaches 80 per cent of 2019’s vehicle volumes or at the council’s discretion.

Rents will also be cut for council-owned assets which are occupied by community groups, essential services and non-profit organisations.

Tenants of affordable housing dwellings who are eligible for financial hardship relief will also have rents waived.

The council rolled out the relief package in April last year before reinstating it on June 26 when the Delta outbreak prompted lockdown 2.0.

It will be reviewed again in late October.

Tuesday, September 28

NSW recorded seven deaths and 863 cases overnight, while several Cumberland suburbs remain areas of concern.

Four women and three men lost their lives to the virus — three people from western Sydney, three from southwest Sydney, one from northern Sydney and a man from Dubbo aged in his 40s, who contracted the virus at Dubbo Base Hospital.

A western Sydney woman in her 90s also became infected at Nepean Hospital while a woman in her 70s acquired her infection at Campbelltown Hospital.

There are 1155 Covid-infected patients in hospital with 213 in intensive care and 113 who require ventilation. There are 160 unvaccinated patients, 45 who have received one dose and eight people with two doses.

Across the state, 64 per cent of the state is fully vaccinated, while 65.3 per cent have two doses in Parramatta and 57.8 per cent are double jabbed in the Cumberland local government areas.

Deputy Chief Health Officer Dr Marianne Gale warned residents of Auburn, Guildford and Merrylands to be extra vigilant, along with Penrith, Blacktown, Greenacre, Bankstown and Punchbowl.

Monday, September 27

NSW recorded 12 deaths and 787 Covid cases overnight, a big drop of 174 since the day before but even as October 11 has been confirmed as “freedom day”, Premier Gladys Berejiklian warned the state is bracing for a surge in cases next month.

Restrictions will ease when 70 per cent double vaccination is reached on October 11.

“It is just this week and next week that we have to hang in there for,’’ Ms Berejiklian said.

“We’re nearly, nearly there and let’s not give up at the last minute. I know how hard it’s been because we’ve all experienced what we’ve missed out on and I think all of us will be thinking about what we can do on the 11th of October.’’

At 80 per cent double doses, tipped to be the end of October, NSW residents can travel within the state, drink standing up at a bar and participate in community sport. However, worshippers who are not vaccinated can still attend churches, mosques and temples as an exemption.

On December 1, the third stage of the reopening will kick in and at least 90 per cent of the adult population is expected to be vaccinated.

However, even unvaccinated adults will be allowed to participate in activities then, when the 2sq m rule will apply.

Asked if opening to the unvaccinated on December 1 sent the wrong message to the community about allowing unjabbed people to wait just a bit longer for freedom, Ms Berejiklian defended the decision.

“I think today is a very disappointing day for those who aren’t vaccinated,’’ she said.

“I think they assume that once we hit 80 per cent double dose they would have certain freedoms.

“They’ll have to wait at least four or five weeks after we hit 80 per cent double dose to be able to enjoy those things others enjoy and I’m hopeful and optimistic that once we get to 1 December we will have over 90 per cent of our adult population double dosed plus a huge cohort of our 12 to 15-year-olds.’’

Diners such as Megan and Alison Jones can eat out like it’s 2019, when they were pictured here at Bay Vista Dessert Bar and Cafe. Picture: Angelo Velardo

On Monday, six men and six women died of Covid, including four people in their 60s, two people in their 70s, four people in their 80s and two in their 90s.

Six people were not vaccinated, five people had received one dose of a Covid vaccine, and one person had received two doses.

One person was from Sydney’s inner west, one person was from Sydney’s eastern suburbs, one person was from Wollongong, two people were from southeastern Sydney, two people were from western Sydney, and five people were from southwestern Sydney.

There have now been 309 Covid deaths in NSW since the Delta outbreak on June 16 and Ms Berejiklian said the forecast hospitalisation and intensive care rates were lower than expected but warned hospitals would still be overwhelmed.

“Technically, we’re still looking at our system being overwhelmed in October and I just ask people to exercise caution there.

“We know that when we start reopening at 70 per cent double dose that the case numbers will go through the roof but what will protect us is that so many people have received at least the first dose of the vaccine and those people will have that extra layer of protection against ending up in hospital or worse.’’

Property Council NSW executive director Luke Achterstraat said the further freedoms acquired would be a vital reboot for the economy.

“It’s great to see normality re-emerging as we head into summer after quite a grim winter, with the return of construction site capacity to 100 per cent today,’’ he said.

“The next step is to revitalise our CBD.

“Our CBDs cannot be reactivated until workers are going back to offices to breathe life into our cities.”

Friday September 24

NSW has recorded 11 deaths and 1043 Covid cases in the 24 hours to 8pm on Thursday.

Covid claimed the lives of five women and six men who had underlying medical problems.

One person was in their 40s, two in their 50s, one in their 60s, six in their 80s, one in their 90s. Ten people were unvaccinated, and one had received two doses of a Covid vaccine.

One of these people was a man in his 50s from Broken Hill, who died at Broken Hill Base Hospital.

He was a close contact of a confirmed Covid case and was not vaccinated.

Two of the people died at home and were tested for Covid after they had died.

One was an unvaccinated woman in her 80s from Sydney’s inner west who is linked to an outbreak at a social housing complex.

Another was an unvaccinated man in his 40s from western Sydney.

There are 1186 Covid patients in hospital, with 232 people in intensive care, 110 of whom require ventilation.

Of the 1043 locally acquired cases reported, 256 are from southwest Sydney and 211 are from western Sydney, a slight drop from yesterday’s case figures.

Thursday, September 23

Western Sydney has bore the brunt of Covid cases but some promising numbers indicate it is dropping.

Deputy Chief Health Officer Dr Marianne Gale and Health Minister Brad Hazzard welcomed the drop in cases in western Sydney on Thursday — 220 — compared with 444 on September 11.

“To drop to 220 is very good,’’ Mr Hazzard said, adding that southwest Sydney had dropped to 294 cases.

“Again, back on 11th of September it was 490 so again.

“To the people of southwest Sydney and western Sydney, you’re doing a great job getting vaccinated, complying with our stay-at-home rules and you’re making a difference to all of us so thank you so much.’’

Dr Gale said the decrease was reassuring but suburbs in the west and southwest continued to be Covid hot spots — Merrylands, Guildford, Auburn, Blacktown, Bankstown, Cabramatta Punchbowl, Yagoona, Liverpool, Greenacre and Lakemba.

NSW recorded six deaths — four women and two men — and 1063 new cases on Thursday.

Three people who died were from western Sydney, two people were from southwestern Sydney and one person was from Dubbo.

Of those who died, four people were not vaccinated. One person – a woman in her 90s – had received one dose of a Covid vaccine, and one person – a woman in her 50s with significant underlying health conditions – had received two doses.

There are 1244 Covid patients requiring hospital treatment and 233 people are in intensive care unit and 112 people require ventilation. There are 179 unvaccinated patients in ICU, 48 have received their first dose and six people are fully vaccinated.

Wednesday, September 22

Five people — four women and one man — died of Covid, and 1035 fresh cases of the virus have been recorded in NSW on Wednesday.

Two people were in their 50s, one person was in their 60s, one person was in their 70s and one person was in their 80s.

Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said the woman in her 50s who died at home was diagnosed after her death.

An unvaccinated woman in her 60s with underlying health problems died at Liverpool Hospital, a double-vaccinated woman in her 80s died at Wollongong Hospital after having underlying health conditions, a Kiama man aged in his 70s died at Wollongong Hospital after receiving one dose of the vaccine but had underlying health problems and an unvaccinated southwestern Sydney woman with underlying health problems in her 50s died at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.

There are 1232 Covid patients in hospital, with 242 people in intensive care, 122 whom require ventilation.

Most of the fresh cases reported overnight are comprised from the following health districts: 312 from southwest Sydney, 211 from western Sydney, 126 from southeast Sydney, 100 from Sydney, 62 from Illawarra Shoalhaven, 62 from Nepean Blue Mountains, 45 from Hunter New England, 41 from Northern Sydney, 35 from the Central Coast, nine from Western NSW, five from Southern NSW, three from Far West, one from Mid North Coast, three are from correctional settings and 20 cases are yet to be assigned to a local health district.

Help is at hand

For those struggling with mental health problems during lockdown, help is at hand to attend Uniting’s Head to Health pop-up clinic at 146 Marsden St Parramatta.

Uniting Recovery’s Head to Health pop-up service is preparing for an influx of mental health challenges at the federal government-funded clinic as demand increases for those severely impacted by the Covid pandemic.

WentWest, which has worked in establishing the pop-up clinic in Parramatta, which is available for anyone that needs mental health support.

“Mental health issues don’t discriminate,’’ WentWest chief executive officer Ray Messom said.

“Many people in our region may have never experienced mental ill-health before and are facing new challenges due to Covid-19 so it’s never been more important to ensure our community can access critical support and mental health services during these challenging times.’’

Chantal Nagib, who is the head of Uniting Recovery support, said the service included supporting pandemic anxiety, general mental health counselling and service referrals such as housing, relationships and financial hardships.

“The pandemic has taken a huge toll on the wellbeing of Australians who have been affected through loss of employment, housing, relationship breakdowns and increased financial burden,’’ Ms Nagib said.

You can seek help at the Parramatta Head to Health hub.

“I am confident the free Head to Health Pop Up clinic in Parramatta will make a real difference for people impacted by the pandemic.”

The clinic is one of 10 in NSW after the federal government allocated $10.6 million towards making mental health services more accessible.

● Find out more about the Head to Health pop up service by visiting headtohealth.gov.au. Western Sydney referrals for the Head to Health service can be accessed by calling 1800 595 212 or visiting Level 1, 146 Marsden Street, Parramatta.

Monday, September 20

Four deaths and 935 cases have been recorded in NSW where Guildford and Merrylands remain suburbs of concern.

Two southwest Sydney men in their 60s died at Liverpool Hospital, a western Sydney man died at Nepean Hospital and his death is the second linked to an outbreak at Uniting Edinglassie Lodge Residential Aged Care Facility in Penrith, and a woman in her 80s from the Wollongong area died at Wollongong Hospital.

There are 1207 Covid cases in hospital, with 236 people in intensive care, 123 of whom require ventilation.

Along with Bankstown, Casula, Whalan, Fairfield and Maroubra, Guildford and Merrylands residents remain at higher risk and urged to be extra vigilant.

Covid testing gets under way in Merrylands. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Friday, September 17

Two women in their 20s are among a group of 12 Covid patients who died in NSW, where 1284 new cases have been recorded on Friday.

Deputy Health Chief Officer Dr Marianne Gale said a woman in her 20s, who had underlying health conditions, died at Nepean Hospital after receiving one dose of a Covid vaccine and the other woman in the same age bracket, who was unvaccinated, died at Gosford Hospital.

The woman was a resident at the Life Without Barriers disability group in nearby Wyong, where she acquired her infection.

In total, six men and six women died of Covid overnight. Along with the two people in their 20s, three were in their 50s, one in their 60s, two in their 70s, their 80s and one person in their 90s. Seven were not vaccinated, two had received one dose and three were fully jabbed.

Two unvaccinated people from western Sydney — a man in his 50s and a woman in her 80s — died at home after being diagnosed with Covid after their deaths.

Three deaths were linked to aged care facilities at Dubbo.

One woman in her 20s died at Nepean Hospital. Picture: Jonathan Ng

There are 15,000 people with Covid in NSW, most who are being treated in the community and 1245 are in hospital.

A total of 228 are in intensive care and 112 require ventilation. Of the people in intensive care, 172 were not vaccinated, 50 have received their first dose and six had been fully jabbed.

Dr Gale said Guildford, Merrylands and Auburn remained areas of concern along with Greenacre, Bankstown and Liverpool.

Support

Parramatta Council has thrown its support behind a vaccination campaign and help the city bounce back into the performing arts section which generated $32 million a year for the local economy.

More than 400 artists, performers and industry groups have already joined the nationwide #VaxTheNation advertising campaign, spearheaded by the newly established Live Industry Venues + Entertainment (LIVE) Alliance.

Parramatta Lord Mayor Bob Dwyer said

“The City of Parramatta is a cherished hub of performing arts and culture in western Sydney – home to the iconic Riverside Theatres, major events like Parramatta Lanes and Winterlight, and numerous music venues,” he said.

“We are proud to support the #VaxTheNation campaign because we want to see people back in venues, visitors flowing into our city and creatives getting back to work as soon as possible. The best way to do this is by rolling up our sleeves and getting vaccinated.”

The campaign was unanimously supported at a council meeting on Monday.

“Until we reach the 80 per cent fully vaccinated target, there will be no live music, festivals, theatre, opera, dance or comedy from local and international acts,’’ Cr Dwyer said.

“Getting vaccinated will allow us to come together and enjoy the magic of live performance once again.’’

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