Seven new COVID cases in NSW

There have been just seven new cases of coronavirus diagnosed in NSW overnight but experts advise you stay home this weekend and put on a mask.

There have been a total of seven new coronavirus cases diagnosed throughout NSW overnight, out of a massive 36,000 tests, but experts remain on high alert and still want you to stay home.

Six of those cases are linked to the Thai Rock restaurant cluster at Wetherill Park, but one has no identified source.

Of the six linked to the Thai restaurant, three are also linked to Our Lady of Lebanon Church in Harris Park, and the other three are two close contacts of other cases, including two at a work place.

A new warning is in place for anyone who visited Costco at Marsden Park on July 19 between 11am and 2pm. Anyone who was present in the store at that time is encouraged to seek testing if they develop symptoms.

NSW Deputy Chief Health Officer Dr Jeremy McAnulty said while most cases have been linked to known clusters, there were still many examples of community transmission.

He advised residents avoid non-essential travel and gatherings, telling reporters his main concern was for “transmission in venues such as hotels and restaurants, the gym and social gatherings”.

“Do not host, or go to, a gathering of more than 10 people at a home,” he said.

“Don’t go to the gym unless the equipment is thoroughly cleaned before and after customer use by supervising staff or yourself, and there is good spacing between machines and customers.”

New advice for NSW residents is to stay home if possible - and to in particular avoid hotels, restaurants, the gym and social gatherings. Everyone is advised to consider putting on a mask if they cannot socially distance. Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Dr McAnulty encouraged residents to get tested at the slightest of symptoms, stay 1.5m from other people “at all times” and consider wearing a mask in situations where it is not possible to social distance.

There are now 56 cases associated with the Crossroads Hotel cluster, 52 cases associated with the Thai Rock restaurant and eight cases associated with the Batemans Bay Soldiers Club.

There are currently 96 active cases being treated by NSW Health, with three of those people in intensive care.

One is being ventilated.

From today, it will be mandatory for staff, patients and visitors to wear masks inside NSW hospitals. The new directive instructs visitors to bring their own mask to the hospital, or they will be provided one.

Visitor numbers will also be tightened back to one per patient in most cases.