27 NSW LGAs yet to record a single case of coronavirus

As coronavirus cases creep up towards the 3,000 mark in NSW, there are still 27 out of the 128 Local Government Areas that are COVID-19 free without a single case. SEE THE LIST HERE

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As coronavirus cases creep up towards the 3,000 mark in NSW, there are still 27 out of the 128 Local Government Areas which have not recorded a single positive test.

Unsurprisingly all of the COVID-19 free councils are in the state’s regional areas with Sydney recording at least one case in every LGA in the city.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal some of the coronavirus free regions include Murray River Council and Snowy Valleys Council, which has a population of around 15,000 people.

The smallest LGA population wise on the list, Balranald Shire Council in the Riverina area of western New South Wales is also yet to register a case.

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While 27 regional LGA have escaped the virus, one regional area is now the focus of the latest coronavirus outbreak.

Overall, NSW has recorded 39 new cases of COVID-19, the lowest since March 16, but a concerning cluster has emerged on the Central Coast.

Of the new cases on Thursday, 12 positive tests have come from Gosford Hospital. Two patients, six staff members and four of their family and friends have returned a positive result for coronavirus.

The outbreak has forced the closure of the ward involved.

NSW Health community contact tracing is underway to help identify other possible cases and help prevent the spread of the virus in the region.

In total there are 2773 cases across the state with 31 people in intensive care and 21 of those are on ventilators.

The number of community transmission cases also continues to rise and is up to 416 cases.

The state's death toll is now at 21 people.

While the downward trend in cases is a positive sign social distancing is working, the president of the NSW Australian Medical Association, Dr Kean-Seng Lim, told The Daily Telegraph that any easing of restrictions must not be done prematurely.

Dr Kean-Seng Lim.

“We are seeing the results of some of the previous measures, whether this is enough is yet to be seen. This does not mean we can become complacent. Any easing up on restrictions on social distancing at this point in time runs the risk that these numbers could jump up again and with all infectious problems it could take a few weeks before see that jump once restrictions are eased,” Dr Lim said.

There are 36 travellers currently being quarantined in hotels that have tested positive for coronavirus.

Almost 4,000 people were tested for COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, that represents a 32 per cent increase from the day before where 2,945 tests were conducted.

Originally published as 27 NSW LGAs yet to record a single case of coronavirus