Covid-19: NSW MP Adam Marshall tests positive; Health Minister Brad Hazzard isolating

NSW politicians have been ordered to ‘stay put’ after one MP tested positive, and the Health Minister was forced to iolate.

Nationals MP Adam Marshall has tested positive to Covid. Picture: Picture: Tim hunter.

NSW Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall has tested positive to Covid-19, while the state’s Health Minister Brad Hazzard is isolating after he received a text during the night warning he was a close contact of a case linked to the parliament.

Mr Marshall attended Paddington’s Christo’s Pizzeria on Monday night.

He said he had not been vaccinated, a spokesperson from his office has confirmed.

At 38 years old, Mr Marshall was not yet eligible to receive a vaccine.

NSW MPs have been ordered to “stay put” until further updates later this morning.

The NSW Whip has ordered anyone currently in Parliament House must remain, and if not, must remain at home.

Mr Marshall revealed his positive Covid test via a statement.

“I have been in isolation in Sydney since last Tuesday night when I received a text message from NSW Health advising of my attendance at a close contact venue on Monday evening, and the need to present for testing,” the statement read.

“To everyone that has contacted me this morning, thank you for your thoughts and well wishes – I’m doing fine and will continue to strictly follow the advice of health authorities.”

“To our wonderful NSW Health staff, who continue to do an amazing job in these challenging times, thank you for your support and efforts keeping all of us safe and well.”

“Take care everyone.”

Former opposition leader Jodi McKay said NSW Parliament had been delayed to 10.30am this morning when Chris Minns was set to deliver his opposition reply speech.

Parli start now delayed until 10.30am and staff told not to attend. I would presume there’s more to come.

— Jodi McKay (@JodiMcKayMP) June 23, 2021

Health Minister in isolation

Brad Hazzard told ABC News Breakfast (on the phone) that he was not suffering any symptoms, but has been asked to isolate until further advice from NSW Health.

“I was advised when I woke up at about 5:30am, there was a text message that had come in sometime during the night telling me that a case had been detected as a likely positive, and that I was a possible close contact,” Mr Hazzard said.

“I’m quite confident that the majority of people in the New South Wales Parliament will be either no contact or casual contacts, so that won’t be a major issue.”

“But certainly from my point of view, I was identified as a possible close contact, and I believe that was after an interview that occurred with a person who may be positive, and they’re just working through those issues.”

Mr Hazzard clarified the positive case was not a journalist, but an employee of state politics.