Live breaking news: NSW records 78 new cases

Daily cases in NSW have dropped but a crucial Covid figure is not following, leading authorities to issue a strong warning.

Ben Graham

@bengrahamjourno

less than 2 min read

July 20, 2021 - 2:20PM

NSW records 78 new local cases with 27 infectious in the community

NSW has seen a drop in its daily covid cases, with 78 new infections recorded in the past 24 hours but there are concerns about "missing links" in new transmissions and a stubborn number of cases who were out in the community.

Authorities are concerned about cases emerging outside of southwest Sydney - where the majority of new cases are being discovered - saying there are 'missing links' of transmission.

While the Fairfield LGA is still recording cases, Dr Kerry Chant said she was "concerned" about cases emerging from the neighbouring Canterbury-Bankstown LGA, particularly Belmore, Lakemba, Punchbowl and Yagoona after another case linked to high-risk site Sultan's Butchery in Lakemba.

"There are a number of cases (in Bankstown) and there is also a number of exposure sites in that area," Dr Chant said.

She said was also "significantly concerned" about Hurstville, Kogarah, Merrylands, Greystanes, Auburn, Guildford, Rooty Hill and Georgetown.

"We're finding unlinked cases in other area and that means there's chains of transmission we're yet to crack," Dr Chant said.

Data journalist Juliette O'Brien also pointed out that the percentage of cases in isolation is not really improving despite a drop in overall case numbers.

"This shows contact tracers are not getting to cases and it is not really improving," she wrote on Twitter. "This is directly linked to restrictions continuing. If CTs are not getting to cases, movement must stay limited."

This blog has now closed. You can follow live updates on Victoria here.

Updates

Latest vaccination figures

The Federal Health Minister is speaking now.

He said 975,716 vaccinations were administered around Australia last week.

What this now means is we have approximately 60 per cent of over 50s that have been vaccinated. 68 per cent of over 60s, and 75.5 per cent of over 70s.

"Almost 1 million Australians were vaccinated within one week," he said. "And immensely important step forward, both as a symbol, but in terms of practical protection on a mass scale.

"In addition to that, today we have seen a record first day of the week for vaccination figures, 169,911 people were vaccinated yesterday. That is 15,000 more than on the previous highest Monday. What it shows is as the vaccine is coming, people are stepping forward."

Removalists turned down quarantine

By NCA NewsWire

Health authorities have revealed the family of a Sydney woman who died from Covid-19 were offered special health accommodation when she was diagnosed.

Saeeda Akobi Jjou Stu, 57, was the mother of twin removalists, Roni and Ramsin Shawka, 27, who have been charged by police for allegedly working while infectious with coronavirus.

The woman is the fifth person to die from coronavirus during Sydney’s latest outbreak.

Town 400km from Sydney on virus alert

A positive coronavirus case has been discovered in the rural NSW town of Cootamundra.

The Murrumbidgee Local Health District said the person visited a private residence in the town on July 16 and that they had subsequently tested positive.

'Not really improving': Concerning detail in new cases

Data journalist Juliette O'Brien also pointed out that the percentage of cases in the isolation is not really improving despite a drop in overall case numbers.

⚫️🏠 37/ 78 NSW cases today in iso / quarantine for *full* infectious period

47% in iso

11/07 – 42%
12/07 – 43%
13/07 – 62%
14/07 – 62%
15/07 – 45%
16/07 – 47%
17/07 – 62%
18/07 – 66%
19/07 – 55%
20/07 – 47%#covidsydney #covid19nsw #COVID19Aus #SydneyLockdown #covidnsw
— Juliette O'Brien (@juliette_io) July 20, 2021

Premier 'confident' construction will resume on July 30

Gladys Berejiklian says she is confident construction will resume after 30 July, after coming under pressure over her ban.

She said the government is in discussion with the industry, and she realises how difficult it is.

She says we need to reduce mobility right now, but that she is confident construction will be up and running at the end of the month.

Office birthday party busted

NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys said police had issued 160 fines overnight, including to seven people who gathered on George St, Sydney for a birthday party in an office block.

"Police were walking along, they found a gentleman outside, a young man, he took him into an office suite where clearly there had been a party, seven people in a small office suite, birthday cake, alcoholic drinks," Dep Comm Worboys said.

He said police discovered one of the partygoers passed out.

"Every single day we find people that clearly want to step outside the orders for very selfish reasons and they put the safety of themselves, the public at great risk."

"Police will always work with people around public safety."

'Missing links' in NSW cases cause concern

Authorities are concerned about cases emerging outside of southwest Sydney with 'missing links' of transmission.

"There are a number of cases (in Bankstown) and there is also a number of exposure sites in that area," Dr Chant said.

She said was also "significantly concerned" about Hurstville, Kogarah, Merrylands, Greystanes, Auburn, Guildford, Rooty Hill and Georgetown.

"We're finding unlinked cases in other area and that means there's chains of transmission we're yet to crack," Dr Chant said.

No more travel permits from Sydney to Victoria

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews says from midnight the only Victorians with compassionate exemptions or are essential workers will be allowed back into the state from Sydney.

"Sydney has been a declared red zone for the purposes of travel. That is, if you do get a permit, you have got to come here, isolate for 14 days, as well as getting tested," he said.

That will be in place for two weeks.

More details about the new cases

NSW Health has released some new information about the 78 new cases.

Of these locally acquired cases, 49 are linked to a known case or cluster – 45 are household contacts and 4 are close contacts – and the source of infection for 29 cases is under investigation.

Thirty-seven cases were in isolation throughout their infectious period and eight cases were in isolation for part of their infectious period.

Twenty-one cases were infectious in the community, and the isolation status of 12 cases remains under investigation.

Some 52 are from South Western Sydney Local Health District (LHD), 11 are from Western Sydney LHD, three are from Sydney LHD, 11 are from South Eastern Sydney LHD, and one is from Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD.

There are 95 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 27 people in ICU with 11 on ventilators.