Coronavirus NSW: Pendle Hilll woman dies of Covid
Neighbours of the woman who died of Covid following a funeral gathering in Pendle Hill have described the tragedy the family faced in the week prior to the outbreak.
Parramatta
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Neighbours of the 85-year-old Pendle Hill woman who died of Covid following a funeral gathering say the group was mourning the death of her grandson.
There are now 41 cases linked to the gathering of 50 people at Smith St at the weekend, with Premier Gladys Berejiklian urging more people to get tested and isolate.
Cumberland Acting Inspector Grant Morrissey confirmed a 27-year-old man died by suicide on July 17.
Residents said multiple people from the Sudanese community lived in the small house and were grieving outside after the suicide.
“They were out here praying on the ground, one of them was kicking the guy’s car in,’’ Daryl Sadler said.
“I heard the father wailing and I saw the young guy taking his clothes off.’’
Insp Morrissey said a large family lived in the house. “There were some crowd control issues with the family, probably because they were so distraught, but it was resolved peacefully,’’ he said.
Mr Sadler said: “They’re a good Muslim family.
“We know them but don’t know their names. We lived next to them for five years.’’
Neighbour and accountant Hubert Jesuratnam said it was common to see a lot of people at the house.
“I see them all the time and say hi to them,’’ he said.
“There’s always people – there’s heaps of people there.’’
Jacques and Yolandi Franken moved to the neighbourhood when the gathering took place but did not witness the superspreader incident.
“The first thing I knew about it was when I saw the police and everyone here and I saw the news about the gathering,” Mrs Franken said.
“I’m worried because obviously there’s houses around us who’s infected and families are moving around, and those families are moving around, and we’re in close proximity.’’
Sheren Chadha and her husband Prabjot Singh are also anxious following the superspreader gathering but only learned about it after seeing police swarm the house on Monday.
“There’s a minimum of 10 (people in the house),’’ Ms Chadha said.
“It’s horrible because we’re already in lockdown.
“Cumberland Council is getting a bad rap.
“The majority of people are doing the right thing.’’
Ms Chadha would like to see police monitor the infected house constantly and barricade it.
It is understood the occupants are isolating in hospital.
No members of the family have been fined following the event.
On Tuesday, 172 cases were reported in NSW, with 60 infectious in the community.
Of the locally acquired cases, 85 are linked to a known case or cluster – 66 are household contacts and 19 are close contacts – and the source of infection for 87 cases is under investigation.
Three new cases were acquired overseas in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.
There have been 2397 locally acquired cases reported since the Bondi outbreak.
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Close contacts
Anyone who attended the following venues at the times listed is a close contact and must get tested and isolate for 14 days, regardless of the result, and call 1800 943 553 unless they have already been contacted by NSW Health. Please get tested even if you have had a test in recent days:
● Parkview Granville Place, 14-38 Cowper St, Saturday July 17, 5.50am to 1.30pm
Casual contacts
Anyone who attended the following venues at the times listed is a casual contact who must immediately get tested and isolate until a negative result is received. Please get tested even if you have had a test in recent days. If your date of exposure at this venue occurred in the past four days, you must get another test on day five 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:
● Winston Hills, Terry White Pharmacy, Shop 20 Winston Hills Mall, Caroline Chisholm Drive, Sunday July 25, 10.15am to 10.30am
● Super Cellars, 1/20 Bungaree Rd, Saturday July 24, 1.45pm to 2pm
● Eleven Pendle Hill, 217 Wentworth Ave and corner Bungaree Rd, Friday July 23, 11.10am to 11.20am
● Powerfuel Petrol Station, 101 Blaxcell St, Granville, Friday July 23, 2.45pm to 3pm
UPDATE: July 28, 2021
Casual contacts
● Priceline Pharmacy Merrylands, Stockland Mall, Shop, 1090 McFarlane St, Thursday July 15, 2.50pm to 3.05pm
● La Mono Charcoal Chicken 106 Burnett St, Wednesday July 21, 12.30pm to 1.30pm
● Raj Bhavan Restaurant, 21b Aurelia St, Sunday July 18, 7am to 8pm and Tuesday July 20
7am to 8pm
● Woolworths Lidcombe, 92 Parramatta Rd, Thursday July 22, 11.30am to noon
● Manchester Mart, 74 Wellington Rd, Friday July 23, 10.30am to 10.50am
● Fruitopia, 92 Paramatta Rd, Friday July 23, 11.20am to 11.35am
● Priceline, 92 Paramatta Rd, Saturday July 24, noon to 12.10pm and Thursday July 22 11.45am to noon
RELIEF FOR PARRAMATTA CITY RESIDENTS
Parramatta Council has announced a package of measures worth up to $2.9 million to support local households and businesses impacted by the current COVID-19 lockdown.
The support package reinstates measures first brought in last year such as parking concessions and rates relief, and introduces a new childcare gap-fee waiver.
For three months, backdated to June 26, the council will:
● Waive interest on late council rates payments and implement payment plans for eligible ratepayers;
● Waive pre-paid and ongoing licence and hire fees for food stalls, temporary premises, non-commercial advertising, community halls, parks, and community venues;
● Pay invoices from local, small and medium-sized suppliers within seven days, instead of the current 30 days;
● Waive outdoor dining license and approval fees for all council businesses. Businesses along the Parramatta Light Rail corridor will have these fees waived for six months;
● Waive rents for council-owned assets occupied by community groups, essential services and not-for-profit organisations;
● Provide rent relief for eligible tenants of council’s affordable housing dwellings; and
● Provide various parking concessions to facilitate takeaway services and support local businesses, such as offering grace periods, issuing cautions for time-limited on-street parking spaces, and reducing and changing time limits in a number of local on-street parking locations.
To support families, the council is also participating in the Australian Government’s scheme to waive the childcare gap-fee for parents or carers on days they choose to keep their children at home due to stay-at-home orders.
“Our top priority remains the safety and wellbeing of our community and as the lockdown continues, we’re delivering targeted and immediate support to households and businesses as quickly as possible,” Parramatta Lord Mayor Bob Dwyer said.
“As the pandemic has evolved, so too has our response. Our new support package builds on the $3 million worth of measures and economic grants we delivered last year, providing immediate financial relief as well as long-term benefits to thousands of people.
“This assistance will help ensure we get through the current lockdown and bounce back stronger on the other side.”
He has also supported the council assisting the state and federal governments rolling out vaccinations across the area.
UPDATE: July 27, 8am
The 85-year-old woman died of Covid on Monday afternoon while a man in his 80s died at Campbelltown Hospital in the morning, NSW Health reported.
“These are the ninth and 10th COVID-19 related deaths of the current outbreak, with 66 in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic,’’ a NSW Health spokesman said.
CALLS FOR WORKPLACE VACCINES
As the Covid surge spreads across workplaces, an MP has called for mobile vaccination clinics to open at food manufacturing and processing plants so a supply disaster can be averted.
Prospect state Labor MP Hugh 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.
“If you take out one of these big manufacturers, it has a massive impact on Coles, Woolworths and other supply chains, and unless it gets sorted and given priority to these food chains … it’s not a matter of if, it’s when,’’ he said.
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.
Cordina processes and distributes chicken from its manufacturing and distribution plant to Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong and the ACT.
Baiada is one of the nation’s leading poultry producers that includes Steggles and Lilydale Free Range and Zammit’s smallgoods are supplied to hotels, clubs, restaurants, butchers and caterers across Australia.
The companies are in the Prospect electorate, which sprawls into the Cumberland and Fairfield council areas, but draw workers from across Sydney — which Mr McDermott said made the need to operate vaccination hubs here more urgent.
After Cumberland Council lobbied the State Government to use council facilities as vaccination hubs, five centres have opened at Merrylands, Pemulwuy and Guildford but Mr Dermott said that was not enough.
Just one hub is open per day and permits just 100 people to get jabbed without bookings.
SCHOOL SCARE
A student at Greystanes High School, in the Covid hot spot of Cumberland, has tested positive to Covid-19.
Prospect state Labor MP Hugh McDermott said the student tested positive on Friday and the school had reopened after undergoing deep cleaning.
Principal Grant Sparke posted a Facebook message stating that the Education Department and NSW Health were working closely ensure staff and students’ safety.
“This work has included identifying close contacts of the confirmed case and communicating directly with them regarding their requirements to self-isolate,’’ he said.
“The students and staff identified as close contacts have been notified and asked to self-isolate for the required period.’’
The number of cases in Cumberland, which is in hard lockdown, has surged.
Across NSW, 145 cases were recorded on Monday and 58 people were infectious in the community.
Two people died from Covid on Sunday.
Six new cases were acquired overseas in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.
The number of Covid cases linked to the Pendle Hill gathering has surged from 18 o 28 and comes as two deaths were recorded in NSW, including a woman in her 30s.
On Sunday, NSW Health’s Dr Jeremy McAnulty said at least 50 people were at the gathering that saw relatives unite to grieve the death of a relative.
“It’s a measure of how just dangerous it is to come together from different families,’’ Dr McAnulty said.
“Don’t visit other households, don’t let anyone from your extended family who doesn’t live with you to come into your household.
“We’ve been working with community leader in that area to make sure that people in that gathering are isolated and getting tested.”
Two women died on Sunday morning — a women in her late 30s from Sydney CBD died at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and a woman in her 70s from southwest Sydney died at Campbelltown Hospital.
A total of 141 cases were recorded on Sunday, with 38 people in the community.
There are 34 people with Covid in Fairfield, 30 in Canterbury-Bankstown, 24 in Cumberland, 19 in Blacktown and 12 in Liverpool.
Of the locally acquired cases, 87 are linked to a known case or cluster – 71 are household contacts and 16 are close contacts – and the source of infection for 54 cases is under investigation.
There are 141 Covid patients in hospital, with 43 people in intensive care, 18 whom require ventilation.
There have been 2081 locally acquired cases reported since the start of the Bondi cluster outbreak on June 16.
No new cases were acquired overseas in the 24 hours to 8pm last night. The total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic is now 7603.
Casual contacts
Anyone who attended the following venues at the times listed is a casual contact who must immediately get tested and isolate until a negative result is received. Please get tested even if you have had a test in recent days. If your date of exposure at this venue occurred in the past four days, you must get another test on day five 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:
● Merrylands Kabul House, 186A Merrylands Rd, Tuesday July 13, 12.30pm to 12.50pm
● Romeos IGA Food Hall, 37-39 George St, Parramatta, Monday July 19, 8.40am to 8.45am
● Rajah Supermarket, 115 Pendle Way, Monday July 19, 3pm to 3.15pm
● Dan Murphy’s, corner Great Western Highway and Florence St, Saturday July 17, 11.30am to 12.30pm
Close contacts
● Mirunas Super Take Away, 150 Pendle Way, Pendle Hill, Tuesday July 20, 5.20pm to 5.25pm
● Pendle Hill Seafood Market, 5 Joyce St, Friday July 16 9am to 7.30pm, Saturday July 17 9am to 7.30pm, Sunday July 18 9am to 7.30pm
Saturday, July 24
NSW recorded 163 positive Covid cases on Saturday, with 45 infectious in the community. Of the fresh cases, 18 came from a Pendle Hill family gathering.
Covid continues to soar across Cumberland, with 18 positive cases recorded after people gathered following a family tragedy at Pendle Hill.
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said of the 163 cases recorded in NSW, 26 were in Cumberland, a council area that was “showing up quite dramatically”.
Mr Hazzard urged the public not to visit family and friends from other households “in these very challenging areas”.
“In the absence of the vaccine, it’s the only thing that’s going to stop this virus,’’ he said.
“I think human beings are human beings,’’ he said.
“We love being with our family and our friends and it’s completely the reverse in a pandemic as to what we need you to do — we need you to do the exact opposite.
“Most Australians, we love our families, but I guess it depends on what part of the world you’ve come from as to how that operates in your mind, in your culture, in your head and we’re finding that a struggle to get our message through that it’s the most dangerous thing you can do.’’
Of the 163 cases, 45 were infectious in the community.
A total of 87 are linked to a known case or cluster – 62 are household contacts and 25 are close contacts – and the source of infection for 76 cases is under investigation.
One case was acquired overseas.
A man in his 80s from southwest Sydney died at Liverpool Hospital on Friday.
Friday, July 23
Residents in the Cumberland and Blacktown LGAs are now forbidden from leaving their local government areas for work after 136 cases of local transmission were recorded in NSW on Friday — including 53 who were infectious in the community.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said Cumberland is where Bankstown and Liverpool was in terms of the spread and Blacktown was chosen as a containment measure.
Only authorised employees, including emergency service and aged care workers, are permitted to leave their council areas.
Of the 136 locally acquired cases, 77 are linked to a known case or cluster – 65 are household contacts and 12 are close contacts – and the source of infection for 59 cases is under investigation.
The figures have prompted the government to ramp up the roll out of vaccinations.
Cumberland Mayor Steve Christou said it was too late.
“I’ve been calling for an increased roll out of vaccines for western Sydney for weeks, but unfortunately this intensive vaccination program announced today comes much too late,’’ he said.
“I’m disappointed because we offered them our facilities and our centres for vaccination hubs three weeks ago and here we are in lockdown.
“It’s very disappointing we have one of the most vulnerable communities in NSW and it’s come to this.’’
Fifty-three cases were in isolation throughout their infectious period and 17 cases were in isolation for part of their infectious period.
Five new overseas-acquired cases were recorded in the 24 hours to 8pm last night. The total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic is now 7303.
There have been 1782 locally acquired cases reported since 16 June 2021, when the first case in the Bondi cluster was reported.
There are 137 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 32 people in intensive care, 14 of whom require ventilation.
A record 86,620 COVID-19 tests were reported to 8pm last night, compared with the previous day’s total of 85,185. This is the third day in a row NSW testing records have been broken, and we thank the community for coming forward in such high numbers.
Thursday, July 23
NSW Health with residents in Merrylands, Guildford, Toongabbie and Pendle Hill urged to get tested.
Of the 124 cases recorded across NSW on Thursday, 23 are from the Cumberland area, only second to the Fairfield epicentre where 30 people tested positive to Covid.
Of the 124 locally acquired cases, 67 are linked to a known case or cluster – 45 are household contacts and 22 are close contacts – and the source of infection for 57 cases is under investigation.
Thirty-seven cases were in isolation throughout their infectious period and 22 cases were in isolation for part of their infectious period.
There were 85,185 tests undertaken yesterday.
There have been 1,648 locally acquired cases reported since 16 June 2021, when the first case in the Bondi cluster was reported.
Close contacts
NSW Health has been notified of a number of new venues of concern associated with confirmed cases of Covid-19.
Anyone who attended the following venue on the times listed is a close contact and must get tested and isolate for 14 days, regardless of the result, and call 1800 943 553 unless they have already been contacted by NSW Health:
● Star City Supermarket, Merrylands Rd Merrylands, Monday July 12, 6.45pm-7pm, Tuesday July 13, 5.30pm-7pm, Wednesday July 14, 5.30pm-7pm; Thursday July 15, 12.45pm-2.15pm
● Parramatta, Chemist Warehouse, Shop M11B, Westfield, 159-175 Church St, Saturday July 17, 1.35pm-1.55pm; Pet Barn North Parramatta 561-565 Church St, Saturday July 17, 3.40pm-4pm
Casual contacts
Anyone who attended the following venues at the times listed is a casual contact who must immediately get tested and isolate until a negative result is received. If your date of exposure at this venue occurred in the past four 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:
● Kmart Merrylands, 1 McFarlane St, Tuesday July 13, 7.40pm-7.55pm
● LJ Hooker Merrylands, 237 Pitt St, Wednesday July 14, 1pm-1.10pm
● Conservatorium at Sydney Olympic Park, 9 Murray Rose Ave, Wednesday July 14, 7.20am-7.35am, Thursday July 15, 7.20am-7.35am; Friday July 16, 7.20am-7.35am
● Merrylands Priceline Pharmacy. Stockland shopping centre, Thursday July 15, 2.50pm-3.15pm
● Granville Woolworths, 6 Louis St, Thursday July 15, 5.50pm-6.20pm
● Merrylands Hilltop Fruit Market, 51 Coleman St, Friday July 16, noon-1pm
● Wentworthville McDonald’s, 441 Great Western Highway, Friday July 16, noon-1pm
Cherry Blossom Festival cancelled
Cumberland Council’s annual Cherry Blossom Festival, scheduled for August, has been cancelled.
The event, which attracts more than 90,000 people, is usually held in Auburn Botanic Gardens.
For anyone who has purchased a ticket, it will be automatically refunded in the next seven to 10 working days.
Wednesday, July 21
NSW recorded 110 new cases on Wednesday, with 43 infectious in the community.
Suburbs including Merrylands, Guildford, Toongabbie, Seven Hills and Mt Druitt have been listed as suburbs of concern and residents in those hot spots are urged to get tested immediately.
Of the 110 locally acquired cases, 54 are linked to a known case or cluster – 40 are household contacts and 14 are close contacts – and the source of infection for 56 cases is under investigation.
Thirty-seven cases were in isolation throughout their infectious period and 17 cases were in isolation for part of their infectious period.
Forty-three cases were infectious in the community, and the isolation status of 13 cases remains under investigation.
Two new overseas-acquired cases were recorded in the 24 hours to 8pm on Tuesday night.
There have been 1528 locally acquired cases reported since 16 June 2021, when the first case in the Bondi cluster was reported.
There are 106 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 23 people in intensive care, 11 of whom require ventilation.
There were a record 83,477 COVID-19 tests reported to 8pm on Tuesday night, compared with the previous day’s total of 62,860.
Close contacts
Anyone who attended the following venue on the times listed is a close contact and must get tested and isolate for 14 days, regardless of the result, and call 1800 943 553 unless they have already been contacted by NSW Health:
● Cincotta Chemist Merrylands, 185 Merrylands Rd, Thursday July 15, 8pm-9pm
● Auburn Cincotta Chemist Auburn, 47-51 Auburn Rd, Friday July 16, 11am-noon
● Auburn Australia Post, Auburn Central, Shop 5, 57 Queen St, Monday July 12, 11.30am – 11.50am
Casual contacts
Anyone who attended the following venues at the times listed is a casual contact who must immediately get tested and isolate until a negative result is received.
If your date of exposure at this venue occurred in the past four days, you must get another test on day five 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:
● Bartelli Cafe, 1/2-12 Macquarie St, Friday July 16, noon-12.30pm
Tuesday, July 20
NSW has recorded 78 cases on Tuesday, including 21 people who were infectious in the community.
Of the locally acquired cases, 49 are linked to a known case or cluster — 45 are household contacts are four are close contacts.
Thirty-seven cases were in isolation throughout their infectious period and eight cases were in isolation for part of their infectious period. The isolation status of 12 cases remains under investigation.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said: “I want to say a big thank you to those living in the Fairfield local government area. We have noticed a significant increase in testing in that community and today.”
On Monday, police issued a 21-year-old Merrylands man with a PIN for travelling outside the 10km radius without a reasonable excuse.
About 11.40am, the man attended Bondi police station to speak with officers about a Traffic Infringement Notice he was issued the day before.
Officers explained that was not a reasonable excuse for him to leave his area and directed him to immediately return to his home in Merrylands
A short time later he was seen standing on Gould St, Bondi, making no attempt to leave the area. Police approached and asked him again to leave. Soon after he was found exercising at the North Bondi outdoor gym area. He was then issued a PIN.
Police have issued 160 PINs in the past 24 hours, with 55 of those issued to individuals for not wearing a mask.
Monday July 19
Pendle Hill Medical Centre, the Skye Suites hotel at Parramatta and Woolworths at Stockland Merrylands are among the exposure sites after NSW recorded 98 positive Covid cases on Monday.
Of the locally acquired cases, 61 are linked to a known case or cluster — 43 are household contacts and 18 are close contacts – and the source of infection for 37 cases is under investigation.
A total of 54 cases were in isolation throughout their infectious period and 17 cases were in isolation for part of their infectious period. Twenty cases were infectious in the community, and the isolation status of seven cases remains under investigation.
Two new overseas-acquired cases were recorded in the 24 hours to 8pm last night. The total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic is now 6853.
Close contacts
NSW Health has advised that anyone who attended the following venues at the times listed is a close contact and must get tested and isolate for 14 days, regardless of the result, and call 1800 943 553 unless they have already been contacted by NSW Health.
● Auburn Advanced Medical Centre, 79 Auburn Rd, Tuesday July 13, 3.30pm – 3.55pm and Thursday July 15, 2.30pm – 2.55pm
● Pendle Hill Medical Centre, 113A Pendle Way, Friday July 16, 9-9.30am
Anyone who attended the following venues at the times listed is a casual contact who must immediately get tested and isolate until a negative result is received.
NSW Health advises if your date of exposure at the venue occurred in the past four days, you must get another test on day five 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.
● Chemist Warehouse Parramatta, Wednesday July 14, 3.30–4.30pm, Thursday, July 15, 10.30-11am and Friday July 16, 5-6.30pm
● Skye Suites Apartments (Hotel Section), 30 Hunter St, 5pm – midnight on Wednesday July 14, all day on Thursday July 15, all day on Friday July 16, midnight to 8.30pm on Saturday July 17
● Woolworths Stockland Merrylands, McFarlane St, Monday July 12, 7-715pm, Wednesday July 14, noon-12.15pm
Casual contact:
Merrylands, Priceline Pharmacy, McFarlane St, Thursday July 15, 2.50-3.15pm
Friday July 16
Staff at Westmead Hospital are refusing to clean the Covid ward after they said they had not been provided with the appropriate protective equipment.
NSW Health told the workers they would not be given personal protective equipment including booties and hairnets despite them being responsible for cleaning a dedicated Covid unit.
Opposition health spokesman Ryan Park urged the government to fix the situation urgently after saying cleaners had been some of the unsung heroes of the pandemic and their health and safety must not be compromised.
They also say they are expected to carry out duties without wearing correctly-fitted masks.
“These workers and the Health Services Union have every right to be angry at the lack of equipment given to cleaners to keep them safe from this deadly virus,” Mr Park said.
“Cleaners have been at the frontline of this virus from day one. Their efforts and professionalism has ensured hospitals can continue to care for patients as well as treat those with the devastating virus and to not be given access to basic health and safety equipment is simply wrong.’’
In a response to The Daily Telegraph, Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the health ministry had urged hospital’s senior management to resolve the matter as soon as possible.
On Tuesday, a fully-vaccinated nurse who had been working at a Covid ward at Westmead Hospital tested positive.
The nurse had no symptoms and wore full protective equipment during shifts at the hospital.
A NSW Health spokesman said the employee was isolating at home and “no further transmission had been linked to them”.
Friday, July 16
NSW recorded 97 new locally acquired cases on Friday.
Of those locally acquired cases, 63 were linked to a known case or cluster – 49 are household contacts and 14 are close contacts – and the source of infection for 34 cases remains under investigation.
A total of 46 cases were in isolation throughout their infectious period and 17 cases were in isolation for part of their infectious period. A total of 29 cases were infectious in the community, and the isolation status of five cases remains under investigation.
One new overseas-acquired case was recorded in the same period.
There are 75 Covid patients in hospital, with 18 people in intensive care, five of whom require ventilation.
There were 77,587 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with the previous day’s total of 58,299.
Thursday, July 15
More positive cases of COVID-19 have hit the Cumberland area after 65 new cases were recorded on Thursday.
Of the 65 cases, 28 were infectious in the community.
A total of 73 people were hospitalised, with 19 in ICU and five requiring ventilation.
NSW Health Chief Officer Kerry Chant urged people not to go to their GP or pharmacist if they were experiencing symptoms but instead go to a testing clinic and isolate.
Dr Chant said areas of concern were Cumberland, Emu Plains, Greenfield Park, Bayside LGA, Smithfield, Fairfield Heights, St Johns Park, Canley Heights, Fairfield, Bankstown, Condell Park, Hurstville, Roselands, Rosebery, Canterbury, Belmore, Georges River LGA, Liverpool LGA and Sutherland Shire LGA.
The case in Emu Plains is unlinked and another one in the past week was also unlinked. “We’re asking anyone in Emu Plains to get tested for even the most mild symptoms,’’ Dr Chant said.
Anyone at the Lennox Shopping Village from 3.45pm-5pm on Saturday, July 10 is a casual contact, anyone at Woolworths between 4pm and 4.45pm is a close contact.
A worksite at Bellfrog St at Hanson Concrete in Greenacre has recorded four cases associated with this worksite. There are nine cases at the D + M Asphalt.
The climbing number of people diagnosed with Covid across Cumberland, and its proximity to Fairfield, has underlined the council’s desire for NSW Health to take up an offer and use more community facilities as vaccination centres, not just testing clinics.
“They have really, really let the residents of western Sydney down,’’ Cumberland Mayor Steve Christou said.
“The problem is you can’t just keep asking people to get continuously tested.
“They’re always banging on about how we need more tests. Now people are getting into double figures. I myself have had four tests.’’
He suggested converting venues such as the Granville Centre and Wentworthville Community Centre for immunisation hubs.
“Give us the resources and we’ll roll them out,’’ he said.
NSW Health urged everyone to get tested as soon as possible but did not specify if more vaccination hubs would open in Cumberland.
“NSW Health has more than 100 vaccination clinics and outreach locations across NSW and continues to expand its capacity to administer COVID-19 vaccines since the rollout began in February,’’ a spokeswoman said.
“There is currently significant demand for vaccination bookings across NSW, including
at NSW Health’s vaccination clinics.
“NSW Health appreciates people’s patience and urges everyone to get vaccinated as soon as it possible to do so. In doing so, you take an important step to protect yourself, your loved ones and the community.’’
Before the government’s update from the Thursday press conference, Cr Christou said “we don’t have chaotic scenes like you have in Fairfield’’.
On Monday, Guildford Swimming Centre became a free drive-through testing clinic at Tamplin Rd and is open every day from 8am to 8pm, with no bookings or GP referrals are required.
Other clinics operating are at The Granville Centre carpark from 8am to 8pm, Merrylands Park from 8am to 10pm, 48 Boorea St Auburn from 8am to 8pm and Auburn Central Town Square where Dari, Chinese and Arabic interpreters are on site.
Merrylands Library has also been converted to a NSW Health testing centre in an effort to get the virus under control.
On Monday Cr Christou said the council offered sites for testing clinics and were working alongside NSW Health staff to help educate business owners about the new rules.
“We’re providing staff, particularly multi-lingual staff, to ensure the message is clear about the new rules and how our business owners can do their part to halt the spread,’’ Cr Christou said.
“This is a more measured and sensible approach, rather than a harsh police crackdown.’’
Last week, he slammed the State Government for rolling out a “heavy handed and extreme” police presence in west and southwestern Sydney.
“It demonstrates the bias towards the eastern suburbs and a condescending and patronising approach to western Sydney,’’ he said.
“The bungled roll out of the vaccination program is why we’re in this situation, while other countries are now enjoying more freedoms.’’
But Ms Berejiklian defended the rollout of police across southwest Sydney.
“Police will move where the virus is moving,’’ she said.
“We need to stop people doing the wrong thing no matter where they live.’’
The government said the tougher restrictions were based on health advice from Dr Chant.
“They are necessary due to the increasing number of unlinked cases in the community,’’ Ms Berejiklian said in a joint statement with Health Minister Brad Hazzard.
“We understand this is a difficult time for the community and businesses. We thank them for their understanding and patience.”
Supermarket closure
One time you wish you had a supermarket closer to home is during lockdown.
The IGA Guildford Fresh, which shut in April, was the major supermarket on the main shopping strip, but now residents have to travel to Aldi at Woodville Rd.
Sam Beshara from Solve Commercial Real Estate, who is managing the property said IGA’s lease on the Guildford Rd site expired at the end of 2022 but it was still paying rent despite the bare shelves there.
“It’s very inconvenient because, particularly in Covid, because you have to travel further,’’ Cumberland councillor Glenn Elmore, whose ward covers Guildford, said.
“There’s some Department of Housing homes in the area and people can walk down but now, particularly with Covid, you want to travel the least distance from your home because there’s less chance of getting Covid.’’
IGA head office did not answer questions about the future of the supermarket.
Close contacts
Authorities have urged people who visited the following venues at the times listed to immediately get tested because they are considered close contacts.
They must isolate for 14 days, regardless of the result, and call 1800 943 553 unless they have already been contacted by NSW Health.
Merrylands
● Sadaqat Supermarket, 6 Memorial Ave Merrylands, Monday July 5, 1.30-2pm
● Australia Post Office, 12 Memorial Ave Merrylands, Monday July 5, 2-3pm
● Merrylands Aldi, 191-201 Pitt St Merrylands (Stockland shopping centre)
Monday 5 July, 1.30-3.30pm
● Merrylands Kmart, 1 McFarlane St, Monday July 5, 1.30-3.30pm
Auburn
● Auburn Fresh City Fruit & Vegetables, 67-69 Auburn Rd, Monday July 5, 3.30–4.30pm
● Sahar Market, 1/62 Auburn Rd, Auburn, Monday July 5, 3.30 – 4.30pm
● New Star Kebabs, 15 Auburn Rd, Monday July 5, 3.30–4.30pm
Anyone who travelled on the following train routes at the listed times is a casual contact and must immediately get tested and self-isolate until a negative result is received. Please continue to monitor for symptoms and immediately isolate and get tested if they develop:
● T2 Westmead to Auburn train stations, Saturday July 10, 8.01am-8.13am
● Auburn station to Westmead station Saturday July 10, departed 8.51pm, arrived 9.03pm
● Westmead station to Auburn station Sunday July 11, departed 8.02am, arrived 8.13am
● Auburn station to Westmead station Saturday July 10, 8.40m to 8.53pm
● Westmead station to Auburn station via Parramatta station, Monday July 12 departed 7.45am arrived 8.05am
Casual contacts
Anyone who attended the following venues at the times listed is a casual contact who must immediately get tested and isolate until a negative result is received. Please continue to monitor for symptoms and immediately isolate and get tested if they develop:
Auburn
Woolworths Auburn Central, Queen St and Park Rd, Monday July 12, 8.30p-9pm
Merrylands
Priceline, Stockland Mall, Shop 1090 McFarlane St, July 12, 1-2pm
Mansours BBQ, 124 Merrylands Rd, Wednesday July 7, 7-8pm
Red Lea, Stockland Merrylands, 185 Pitt St, Saturday July 10, 2-2.30pm
Guildford
Dan Murphy’s Guildford, 150 Rawson Rd, Wednesday July 7, 6-6.45pm
Granville
Woolworths Granville, 6 Louis St, Wednesday July 7, 6-6.45pm
Parramatta
● Parramatta Country Growers, 159-175 Church St (Westfield), Thursday July 1, 5.30pm – 5.40pm
● Coles Westfield Parramatta, 159-175 Church St Parramatta, Thursday July 1, 5-6pm
Pendle Hill
● Pendle Hill Woolworths Metro, 109 Pendle Way, Saturday July 3, 5.45–6.15pm and Tuesday July 6 from 10.50–11.20am
Carlingford
● Chemist Warehouse, 821-825 Pennant Hills Rd Carlingford, Monday July 5, 12.45–1.15pm
● Carlingford Court Shopping Centre, Pennant Hills Rd and Carlingford Rd, Carlingford, Wednesday July 7, 3.15–5.15pm
Telopea
The Valley Pharmacy, 4 Benaud Place Telopea, Tuesday July 6, 3-3.30pm
Merrylands
Stockland shopping centre, 1 Pitt St Merrylands, Monday July 5, 1.30-3.30pm
Asal Sweet Patisserie, Shop 4, 196-200 Merrylands Rd, Thursday July 8, 4-5pm
Under strict rules rolled out from 5pm on Friday July 10, only one person per household is permitted to do the shopping and browsing is forbidden in supermarkets.
Outdoor exercise is limited to two people (excluding members of the same household) and people must stay in their local government area or within 10km of their home for exercise or outdoor recreation. Carpooling is only allowed per household members.
From Sunday, funerals were limited to 10 people.
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