NSW Covid hotspots: Full list of venue alerts in Burwood

A suburb in NSW has had multiple precautionary virus alerts after a returned traveller was released from quarantine but later tested positive to a mutant strain.

NSW authorities say a returned traveller who contracted a highly contagious strain of COVID-19 was not infectious when they left quarantine earlier this month but have issued alerts for several Burwood venues as a precaution.

Burwood in Sydney’s inner west was put on high alert after the returned traveller tested positive during a follow-up test after they had left quarantine.

NSW Health issued health warnings for six shops, venues and cafes in Burwood after the person visited them on January 6 and 7.

The person entered quarantine upon their return to Sydney on December 21 and tested positive two days into their isolation.

They were discharged from their Special Health Accomodation on January 5.

And NSW Health said they were assessed and passed as fit before they exited quarantine.

“On the basis of those criteria were considered clear of COVID-19,” a NSW Health spokesperson said.

Follow-up genome testing found they had been carrying a UK strain of the virus, which studies have indicated is highly contagious.

They were asked to undergo another COVID test to which they tested positive.

“As a precaution, the person was immediately contacted by NSW Health and asked to isolate for retesting,” A NSW Health spokesperson said.

“The person returned a positive test with a high CT value, which indicates low levels of infection, and returned to the Special Health Accommodation.”

NSW Health said that an expert panel which was convened to assess the case had found that the person was not infectious when they left quarantine and visited several venues including shops and cafes in Burwood.

Sydneysiders are now asked to wear masks at a list of indoor places. Picture: Damian Shaw/NCA NewsWire

Anyone who visited the Artisaint Cafe in Burwood between 10.30-11am on January 6 and Bing Lee between 11.25-11.40am on January 6 has been deemed a casual contact.

People who visited the venues at those time has been told to get tested immediately and self-isolate until a negative result is received.

As well, NSW Health issued further alerts for the Artisaint Cafe and three other venues including Westfield Burwood, with people who visited them during the specified times told to monitor for symptoms.

The advice applies to anyone who visited Westfield Burwood between 11.45am-1.30pm on January 6 and 1-2pm on January 7.

The same advice applies for anyone who attended Kmart in the shopping centre between 11.45am-12.15pm on January 6 and the House store between 12.20-12.30pm on January 6.

As well, the Artisaint Cafe between 1.10pm-1.20pm on January 7.