‘Cause for concern’: Fears as half of the 24 new NSW cases were in the community while infectious

New South Wales recorded 24 new locally acquired cases overnight, but 12 of those people are causing health authorities great concern.

New South Wales has recorded 24 new locally acquired cases of Covid-19.

Half were in isolation for their entire infectious period but NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said some were working in the community while symptomatic.

“The fact that half were in the community while infectious is a cause of concern,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“We can’t afford to have people continue to have the virus (and go) about their business.

“In too many examples we are seeing workers who are leaving the house with symptoms or going to work with symptoms and then inadvertently as they are going about shopping or other activity, they are passing it onto others.”

The new cases, recorded up to 8pm on Wednesday night, include a student nurse that spent four days working across two Sydney hospitals.

Thousands have turned out for testing. Picture: NCA NewsWire / James Gourley

Health officials have raced to track down and isolate more than 100 of her close contacts.

A household contact of this nurse is also included today’s numbers.

Two new cases are linked to the West Hoxton birthday party, bringing the total number of cases in the cluster to 41, including 27 people who acquired their infection at the party and 14 close contacts.

NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant said 17 of the 24 cases were linked to known cases but seven are under investigation.

One new case was linked to the Crossways Hotel in South Strathfield while no new cases were linked to Christo’s Pizzeria in Paddington.

Another new case was also associated with Joh Bailey in Double Bay and one was linked to Lyfe Café Bondi Beach.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian addresses the media. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Christian Gilles

Dr Chant warned that just because someone has received a negative result doesn’t mean they can’t later test positive.

“Just because you have had a negative test on one day, if you get symptoms subsequently it is important that you retest,” she said.

“Tests only tell you your status at a particular point in time. So we do acknowledge the community and thank them for many people who have gone back when they have got subsequent symptoms to get tested ... that will be an important component of the response.”

Two Covid cases are being treated in intensive care.

Dr Chant also revealed a Sydney nurse who tested positive to Covid-19 after working in hospitals for several days has now been connected to other cases, including a another nurse and an aged-care worker.

Among the household and family contacts of the student nurse who was confirmed positive on Wednesday was a male nurse who works at Royal North Shore Hospital, Fairfield Hospital and the Royal Ryde Rehabilitation Hospital.

There are 24 new cases in NSW. Picture: NCA NewsWire / James Gourley

However that man had not gone to work while infectious, chief health officer Kerry Chant said.

Another contact was an aged-care worker at Summit Care in Baulkham Hills.

But I was very pleased to be advised that around 135 out of the 149 residents at Summit Care were vaccinated and they had concluded their Pfizer vaccination for over a month,” Dr Chant said.

It wasn’t clear who had spread the virus to whom.

More than 100 patients and staff were forced into isolation after the student nurse, who was unvaccinated, received her positive coronavirus test earlier in the week.

The 24-year-old worked shifts at Fairfield and Royal North Shore hospitals between June 24 and 28.

More to come.