NSW records four new cases of COVID-19

Just four cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed in NSW overnight. But there’s a good reason the low number isn’t cause for complacency.

NSW has recorded another four new cases of coronavirus up to 8pm on Sunday.

Of those, three are returned travellers in hotel quarantine, and one is a close contact of someone who went to the Eastern Suburbs Legion Club.

This person had been in self-isolation while they were infectious.

Health authorities are not taking Monday’s low numbers as entirely good news though.

“While there has only been one locally acquired case overnight, the virus is likely circulating among people in the community with mild symptoms,” Dr Christine Selvey said.

“This means there is still a risk of outbreaks and a resurgence of cases.”

Dr Selvey renewed the call from NSW Health for anyone with even the mildest of symptoms to come forward to be tested, and said this was especially important in the lead-up to the school holidays when families are expected to travel across the state.

Four new cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed in the 24 hours to 8pm last night, bringing the total number of cases in NSW to 3,981.

Of the four new cases:
• Three are returned overseas travellers in hotel quarantine
• One is locally acquired and linked to a known case or cluster pic.twitter.com/hliQQbysqv

— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) September 14, 2020

Premier Gladys Berejiklian told reporters on Monday she was happy to see the day’s low numbers but was taking nothing for granted.

“We are doing well in controlling the virus, and I would just ask people not to be complacent … at any stage the virus can take hold again,” she said.

“We can’t let our guard down in NSW.”

Ahead of Friday’s National Cabinet meeting, Ms Berejiklian said she wanted to see other states raise their caps on overseas arrivals.

She said her message to state leaders was to “please accept the burden, please raise your limit”.

NSW currently accepts 350 international arrivals per day, which the Premier has previously pointed out is double what every other state is taking combined.

“I wouldn’t want to exceed that because we are getting a number of cases every day from hotel quarantine,” she said.

“Please think about doing your fair share. I’m not saying do as many as NSW, but please do your fair share to lift the burden on us.”

There are currently six COVID patients in intensive care. Three of those are ventilated.