No community transmission in NSW as borders look to reopen

Both of NSW’s new coronavirus cases are in hotel quarantine, marking 24 hours with no community transmission as state leaders look to reopen their borders.

COVID-19 drive through testing clinic at Bondi Beach in Sydney. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dylan Coker

Only two new cases of coronavirus were diagnosed in New South Wales up to 8pm on Monday night, with both in hotel quarantine.

The low number marks a 24-hour period with no community transmission of the virus, a welcome statistic as surrounding states consider reopening their borders to NSW residents.

South Australian Premier Steven Marshall said he would reopen the state’s border with NSW at 12.01am on Thursday - provided there was no community transmission between Tuesday morning and midnight.

In Queensland, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the shires of Byron, Ballina, the City of Lismore, Richmond Valley, which includes Casino and Evans Head, and Glen Innes would be added to the border zone from October 1.

Under the new plan, residents in those areas will be able to apply for a border pass and can travel freely around Queensland, while Queenslanders can travel freely to those areas, without anyone needing to quarantine.

Residents of the northern state will need a border pass to get home and must declare they have not visited a hotspot - but they will not need to do any isolation time.

Two new cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed in the 24 hours to 8pm last night, bringing the total number of cases in NSW to 4,017.

Both are returned overseas travellers in hotel quarantine. pic.twitter.com/LjYTesBF5z

— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) September 22, 2020

While Tuesday’s numbers are a positive sign, Deputy Chief Health Officer Jeremy McAnulty said testing numbers were still too low.

“There were 7616 tests reported in the 24 hour period to 8pm on Monday night, compared to 7765 the previous day,” he said.

“Testing numbers have eclined in recent weeks in NSW, and we are appealing to the community to come forward for testing right away if you have a runny nose, scratchy throat, cough or fever, or other symptoms that could be COVID-19.”

Dr McAnulty said without increased testing, there was no way to keep the pandemic at bay.

“We’d like to see testing levels above 20,000 (per day) as achieved last week, particularly in south western Sydney and ahead of the school holidays,” he said.

“For the sake of your friends and family, get a test - and if symptoms recur, get another test. It’s free.”

More to come