Source of NSW’s Omicron Covid-19 cluster identified

The source of the growing Omicron cluster in Sydney has been identified, as authorities confirm more cases of the new variant.

The source of NSW’s growing Omicron Covid-19 cluster has been discovered, with more cases of the new variant confirmed overnight.

Genome sequencing has uncovered six new Omicron infections, bringing the total number of cases of the variant in NSW to 31.

The results come as NSW recorded 260 new Covid-19 cases and two deaths in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.

NSW Health has been working tirelessly to investigate the source of the infection of a cluster of cases at Regents Park Christian School, St Peter Chanel Catholic Primary School in Regents Park, and the Sydney Indoor Climbing Gym in Villawood in South Western Sydney.

The source of this cluster is believed to be a returned overseas traveller who arrived in Sydney from Doha on flight QR908 on November 23. This person had spent time in Nigeria.

There are now 20 Omicron cases linked to the Regents Park cluster.

“This number does not include an ACT resident whose infection is believed to have been acquired through attending the Sydney Indoor Climbing Gym in Villawood on Saturday 27 November,” NSW Health said.

Cases of Omicron are expected to rise in NSW. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

Health authorities have been busy scanning hundreds of Covid-positive tests each day, both new samples and ones that have been recorded in the last week of November, to see whether they carry the new variant.

So far at least 11 people in NSW have acquired the Omicron Covid-19 variant either overseas or on an international flight.

To date, none of NSW’s Omicron cases have been admitted to hospital for treatment of Covid-19, raising further hopes this variant could be more mild than the Delta strain.

Some of the new Omicron infections have been recorded in school-aged children, with at least one confirmed case being a student at St Peter Chanel Catholic Primary School in Regents Park.

This student attended the Sydney Indoor Climbing Gym in Villawood on November 27, where they are believed to have caught the virus.

All year three and four students at the school have been deemed close contacts and have been asked to self-isolate.

Contact tracing and genome sequencing is underway on several Covid cases identified within the school community.

Anyone who was at the Sydney Indoor Climbing Gym on November 27 between 9am and 4.30pm is also deemed a close contact and must immediately get tested and isolate.

Premier vows to continue with reopening plan

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has assured residents that the rise in Omicron cases won’t impact plans to further ease restrictions next week.

A new round of freedoms are set to be implemented on December 15. The changes mean:

• Unvaccinated people will be included in the new freedoms.

• Mask wearing will only be required on public transport, planes, at airports and for indoor front-of-house hospitality staff for aren’t fully vaccinated.

• Covid-safe check-ins will no longer be required for all businesses. It will still be a requirement for hospitals, aged and disability care facilities, gyms, places of worship, funerals or memorial services, personal services (including sex services), pubs, small bars and registered clubs, nightclubs, strip clubs and indoor music festivals with more than 1000 people.

• Density limit requirements will be removed.

The mask requirement will be removed for the majority of settings in NSW. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

“We also know this variant won’t be the last one,” Mr Perrottet said.

“That is why vaccines remain our best defence. Covid-19 is not going anywhere anytime soon so we must learn to live alongside it. Going into lockdown or closing borders is not the solution; getting the jab is.”

On Sunday, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews revealed he had made an agreement with Mr Perrottet to keep their borders open ahead of Christmas.

Mr Andrews told reporters he had been texting with his NSW counterpart and had agreed they would not pursue an “Omicron zero” strategy.

“The notion that we try and keep this out forever … that just doesn’t make sense,” Mr Andrews said.

Mr Andrews said both Premiers had agreed it was important to reassure residents that the borders weren’t at risk of shutting and new restrictions weren’t being imposed over the new Omicron cases.

“We think that’s important not just for the people of Victoria and NSW, but if Victoria and NSW are working closely together, I reckon that’s pretty good for the rest of the country as well,” Mr Andrews said.