Latest isolation rules put Christmas at risk after lockdown

A lonely Christmas locked inside could still be a reality for hundreds of NSW residents, brought on by strict health policies.

Strict isolation rules in the face of Omicron could still signal a lonely Christmas locked inside for hundreds of NSW residents, despite lockdown’s end and a move toward greater freedoms.

More than 1.9 million coronavirus case alerts have been issued in the Service NSW app over the past fortnight – including directions to monitor for symptoms, as well as to test and isolate as contacts of a case – as celebrations drive transmission.

The reproduction rate of the virus in NSW is currently at its highest in four months, according to University of Australia biostatistics professor Adrian Esterman, at 1.43 – meaning for every 100 new cases, another 143 people contract the virus.

NSW reported 804 new cases in the 24 hours up to 8pm last night, and, tragically, one death. There are currently 168 people being treated in hospital for the virus, 21 of whom are in the ICU.

Under current rules, fully vaccinated people who are considered close contacts of a Covid-19 case must isolate for seven days, testing on days one and six; while casual contacts can exit isolation after they get a negative test result.

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More than 1.9 million coronavirus case alerts have been issued in the Service NSW app over the past fortnight. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Jeremy Piper

But the more cautious move to direct large groups of revellers at events in Sydney to isolate for a week – even if they may not have had direct contact with a case – has earned some criticism from experts.

Australian National University infectious diseases physician Peter Collignon said that with boosters being rolled out and no indication of rocketing hospitalisations and deaths, creating large pools of close contacts was overkill.

“[Omicron] spreads more than Delta, but the consequences aren’t more than Delta. Some people are even putting 14 days of quarantine on people in other jurisdictions,” Professor Collignon told The Daily Telegraph.

“We should treat it the same as Delta. We have to be careful not to overreact.”

Experts have called for calm from NSW Health in the lead-up to Christmas. Picture: NCA NewsWire/David Swift

While NSW reported 536 new cases on Monday, Prof Collignon said a seven-day isolation was not warranted, given 93 per cent of the state’s eligible population is now fully vaccinated, with the rollout of booster shots enhancing protection.

He also called on authorities to redefine the meaning of a “close contact”.

“What do you call a close contact? 700 people? We need to really look at who we define as a close contact. You want people with a chance of a few per cent or more of catching Covid to warrant a close contact,” he said.

Health officials are currently working to contain an outbreak at a Newcastle nightclub – which has become one of the state’s largest ever transmission events.

A “prom night” party last Wednesday at the Argyle House nightclub has led to 84 positive cases already – including 60 who will be included in today’s numbers. All 680 attendees are considered close contacts – with the end of their isolation period narrowly missing Christmas.

The Argyle House nightclub in Newcastle.

Dr Kerry Chant urged residents to keep up their Covid-safe practices. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

It’s believed all of the infections so far have the new Omicron strain.

Anyone who attended Newcastle’s Finnegan’s Hotel between 6.30pm on Friday, December 10 and 2.30am on Saturday, December 11 has also been deemed a close contact.

Chief health officer Kerry Chant has urged residents to avoid functions if they have any symptoms, no matter how mild.

“If you have the opportunity to be selecting venues, choose outdoors venues or well-ventilated spaces, airy spaces as they’re more Covid-safe,” Dr Chant told reporters on Sunday.

“Also, we are asking that you consider doing a rapid antigen test before going out, even if you don’t have symptoms.”