Urgent health meeting called as Meriton Suites party cluster grows

Health officials have called an urgent meeting after a Covid cluster linked to an illegal hotel party grew again on Tuesday. 

A Covid cluster linked to an illegal party held in a Sydney hotel room has grown overnight, prompting health officials to call an urgent meeting.

NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant said there were now seven people, who attended the party on June 26, that have tested positive. Five household contacts have also returned positive swabs.

This includes one new case recorded in Tuesday’s numbers.

“There is clearly a lot of testing around the Meriton Suites at Waterloo and I thank everyone for their patience as we work through testing results and some retesting that occurred,” she said.

“There will be a meeting around midday (today) to consider all those results and it is likely that additional updated advice will be given in related to the Meriton suites.”

There are 12 cases linked to the party cluster. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dylan Coker

Dr Chant thanked the young people who went to the party for co-operating with health officials and contact tracers. And she did have some promising news.

“I am not aware we have any evidence of transmission beyond that party group. But that will be a matter for those results coming in as we speak and updated advice will be provided once we have had the opportunity of reviewing all of those results,” she explained.

NSW Health said anyone, including guests, staff and contractors, who were inside the Meriton Suites building at all on June 26 between 7pm and 8am the following day must immediately get tested and isolate until they receive further advice.

News emerged on Monday that new cases were linked to an illegal gathering at the establishment after the stay-at-home orders had come into force.

There are now fears that the party could be a superspreader event and cause a roadblock for Sydney’s planned exit from lockdown.

The Meriton Suites at Waterloo has been deep cleaned. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dylan Coker

“It is just an example of ridiculous behaviour isn’t it? In terms of the party that happened,” NSW Australian Medical Association president Danielle McMullen told the Today Show on Tuesday.

“Sydneysiders, if we want to get out of this lockdown as soon as possible we have really got to stay at home.

“This isn’t lockdown-lite. This is stay at home orders and people need to take this seriously and really only be leaving the house for essentials.”

NSW recorded 18 new cases on Tuesday. Of those, 11 were in isolation and five were in isolation for part of their infectious period. Two were in the community.