Calls for tougher restrictions amid fears contact tracers losing grips on the virus

Epidemiologists and outbreak management experts are unanimously calling for tougher restrictions to be implemented as the Sydney outbreak surged to 566 cases.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian. Picture: Supplied

Epidemiologists and outbreak management experts have called for tougher restrictions as the Sydney outbreak surged to 566 cases, stoking fears NSW contact tracers are losing their grip on the virus.

As Sydney entered a new dynamic of the outbreak on Sunday, recording 77 new cases of locally acquired transmission, some epidemiologists warned of similarities to Melbourne at the start of its deadly second wave and fear an exponential rise in cases if authorities don’t clamp down.

While infection rates have slowed in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, authorities are concerned about rapid transmission of the Delta variant across social groups and connected households in the southwest suburbs, which now account for most of the new cases.

A Miranda David Jones department store, a Wetherill Park Officeworks and a Glebe JB Hi-Fi and Harvey Norman were among venues added to exposure sites on Sunday night, raising questions about people leaving home for non-essential items.

As department stores remained open across Sydney, Gladys Berejiklian has repeatedly refused to define what shopping is allowed, instead insisting people must stay home unless they absolutely needed something.

But UNSW epidemiologist Mary-Louise McLaws said the communication was confusing, allowing people to interpret the rules as they saw fit.

“It’s not working because people are not infection-control experts, most people will interpret the rules in a fashion that allows them latitude,” she said.

“A lockdown is highly effective when it’s done completely, not with retail shops open …”

Some epidemiologists said the Sydney outbreak was showing signs similar to Melbourne’s deadly second wave which saw 768 deaths as the virus ran rampant through the community.

Both originated from quarantine leaks and moved quickly into high-density areas with multicultural and linguistically diverse communities.

NSW Health data shows testing rates were vastly lower than other parts of the city in the major areas of concern, with Fairfield recording 1922 tests compared to 14,468 tests in the Bondi area.

Burnet Institute epidemiologist Mike Toole said the Sydney outbreak was almost a “carbon copy” of Melbourne, except that the Delta variant was moving a lot faster. Melbourne took 37 days to reach 566 total cases, which Sydney reached in just 25.

“We need to stop beating around the bush, and close all non-essential retail,” Professor Toole said. “They need to bring in the 5km rule, and create an online permit system for essential workers like they had in Melbourne.”

“... We already know the figures will be more than 100 on Monday. You can model the figures … at this current rate of growth without further restrictions you could easily get up to 200 cases by Wednesday.”