Five people who attended a party cruise on Sydney Harbour test positive to Covid as more than 140 forced to test, isolate

At least five people have tested positive for Covid-19 after attending an “ultimate Rnb” party boat cruise on Sydney Harbour.

At least five people have tested positive for Covid-19 after attending Sydney’s “ultimate Rnb” party boat cruise on Sydney Harbour which officials fear could be Sydney’s first Omicron superspreader event.

In a late night public health alert, NSW Health confirmed the number of positive cases that were on the cruise last Friday night, December 3 and said genome sequencing is underway to confirm if the Omicron variant is present.

“Preliminary results indicate two are likely to have it,” NSW Health said.

At least 140 people signed in with a QR code before boarding the party boat and contact tracers will now direct them and members of their households to immediately get tested, isolate and await further public advice.

The cruise departed from King Street Wharf 9 at 7.30pm, returning around 11pm.

Operated by Cadman Cruises, it was jointly marketed as ‘Flow Fridays – 90s Themed Boat Party’ and ‘Freaky Sunday Afrovibe: The Last Dance’.

All cases are isolating at home.

On Tuesday, NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant said officials are working with international counterparts to “rapidly gain a better understanding about the nature of the new variant”, including understanding how easily it spreads, its transmissibility compared to other variants and the severity of the variant and how effective the vaccines are at offering protection.

Sydney Harbour. Picture: Monique Harmer

The “Flow Fridays” summer events promise “mega RnB/commercial tunes all night long” across three stages and levels. Attendees are treated to confetti cannons, “party vibes” and CO2 cannons.

Prior to the event partygoers were told to keep “your mask on at all times, unless eating or drinking” and were required to show their Covid vaccination or official exemption.

The total number of cases of the Omicron variant in NSW currently sits at 31. 20 of those cases have been locally acquired.

Currently, 155 Covid-19 cases are in hospital in NSW. To date NSW has recorded no admissions with the Omicron variant.

“Everyone throughout NSW is urged to continue to come forward for testing at the first sign of even mild symptoms,” NSW Health said.