Authorities investigate link between boat party and Newcastle nightclub

Health Minister Brad Hazzard has said authorities are investigating a positive case who allegedly ignored health advice and sparked an outbreak in Newcastle.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard has revealed more than 200 of almost 700 attendees of a Newcastle nightclub have now caught Covid-19.

Mr Hazzard told 2GB that a Covid positive case who likely caught Covid-19 on Sydney’s boat party on December 3 may have refused to follow isolation orders and gone to the Argyle House nightclub in Newcastle.

“I believe that person was asked to self-isolate for seven days and that person apparently on the face of it may not have done that and went to a nightclub in Newcastle,” Mr Hazzard said.

“What we do know is that out of the 650 to 680 people, there are now more than 200 patrons positive for COVID-19.”

Mr Hazzard has asked the person to be investigated and be referred to Liquor and Gaming NSW and police if they did not comply with the isolation requirements.

Health is now scrambling to determine if the cases are the Omicron variant.

He added that the messaging nationally on booster shots was “not strong enough” following comments that they should be brought forward to four months after the second dose.

Earlier in the day Mr Hazzard said NSW Health was being “a lot more flexible” in giving booster shots earlier than the five month mark.

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard has ruled out any snap lockdowns. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

“I would be saying to ATAGI that you‘ve been a bit slow in the uptake a few times here … The real evidence is pretty well there that people after about three or four months if they have drop off after the vaccine should be able to get it,” he said.

“My view as Health Minister of NSW is that ATAGI (the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation) should be looking at that very closely, with regard to in fact bringing on the boosters at as early as three or four months.”

He also ruled out any “snap lockdowns” to curb the spread of Covid-19 and declared the government won’t start “backflipping” on promises to ease restrictions for unvaccinated people on Wednesday.

The state recorded 804 new Covid cases overnight and one death, a jump of 268 extra daily infections than Monday’s total of 536 – the highest number of cases recorded since October 2, when 813 cases were recorded.

Covid-19 testing in Bondi. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

Asked whether a snap lockdown was on the cards for Newcastle, Mr Hazzard said that was not the government’s plan.

“NSW is not planning on any snap lockdowns, what we’re planning on is making sure the community understands the need to be vaccinated and the need to have boosters,” he said.

“NSW has led the country, we’re not about to start backflipping on issues that we promised the community we’ll do,” he said.

About 94.8 per cent of eligible people over 16 have had one dose of a Covid vaccine, and 93.1 per cent are fully vaccinated. 

There are now 21 people in intensive care, a drop of three from Monday, while 168 people are in hospital battling Covid overall.

It comes as a fresh Covid alert was issued for another Newcastle venue, Finnegan’s Hotel, after infected patrons – including some who are “likely” to have Omicron – visited the pub recently.

Originally published as Authorities investigate link between boat party and Newcastle nightclub