‘Expect an increase’: Gladys Berejiklian’s warning as NSW records 31 new virus cases

Another 31 new Covid cases are reported in NSW as the Premier issues a warning about the coming days.

Thirty-one new cases of Covid-19 have been diagnosed in NSW overnight, the largest figure in the latest outbreak to date, and there are fears the worst is yet to come.

“We are anticipating there could be an increase in numbers over the next few days,” NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said.

“Then hopefully early next week we should see the impact of the lockdown really turning and having a positive impact.”

There are serious concerns that 12 of the new cases were active in the community while infectious, while the others were isolating.

A record 73,000 tests were conducted in the last reporting period.

“I do want to stress that this pretty much reflects the days just before, and the day when we went into lockdown,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“What we look at is how many cases we had that were not in isolation either completely or partially.”

She described the figure as “concerning”.

NSW recorded 31 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night, of which 27 are linked to previously confirmed cases. pic.twitter.com/Uiwda2a5SQ

— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) July 2, 2021

NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant said of the 31 new cases, 11 were in isolation for their entire infectious period, while three were isolating for period of that time.

Five cases also remain under investigation while the risk are linked to existing cases or clusters.

Eight of the cases reported today are associated with a student nurse who worked across two hospitals while unknowingly infectious. This takes the number of cases linked to the nurse to 10.

Nine of those cases are healthcare or aged care workers, Dr Chant said.

“More than 390 staff and patients have been identified as close contacts to date, with investigations into the source of the first case’s infection and contact tracing ongoing,” NSW Health said in a statement.

One new case is linked to the superspreader party at West Hoxton. Three new cases are linked to Lyfe Café Bondi Beach.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian delivered the new numbers. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

There has been another new case linked to Joh Bailey hairdressers at Double Bay.

While the numbers were higher on Friday, Ms Berejiklian remained hopeful they would not explode.

“(With) other jurisdictions around the world, you have seen a doubling or tripling of cases which is what we were afraid of but has not materialised,” she said.

“We’re still at the stage of mopping up, we are mopping up what the spread might (have) been on the days before lockdown.

“I am always optimistic about the future because I have faith and confidence of the people of our state.”

More to come