Sighs of relief as NSW Covid case numbers ease

A predicted spike in NSW Covid-19 infections did not come to pass on Wednesday, with the state recording 22 new infections.

NSW chief health officer Kerry Chant in Sydney on Wednesday. Picture: Christian Gilles

A predicted spike in NSW Covid-19 infections did not come to pass on Wednesday, with the state recording 22 new infections and authorities remaining hopeful that Greater Sydney’s two-week lockdown would curb the virus faster than expected.

Officials expressed relief at the lower-than-expected case numbers but cautioned that infection sites were growing; this included two Sydney hospitals where a student nurse contracted the virus and unknowingly worked a number of shifts. The state recorded 19 fresh cases on Tuesday and 18 cases on Monday.

Of the 22 most recently confirmed cases, 11 had been diagnosed while the patients were already in isolation and a further five cases were detected after their isolation period had already started, meaning they had spent some, but not all, their time in the community.

Breaking down the figures, officials said four of the cases had been linked to the Crossways Hotel in Strathfield South, where a staff member had tested positive for the virus. Updated advice on the venue has ordered anyone who attended the hotel between June 23 and 27 to quarantine at home for 14 days.

A further three cases were linked to Christo’s Pizzeria in Paddington, where NSW Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall contracted the virus last week.

The NSW government announced on Wednesday it would begin mandating the use of QR code check-ins at workplaces and businesses from next month to increase data collection for contact tracing teams. More than 68,000 tests were recorded during the 24-hour reporting period to 8pm Tuesday, marking a slight increase from 67,000 logged a day earlier, officials said.

“What we want to see moving forward in terms of positive trend is a higher proportion of people in isolation for the full time of their infectiousness,” Premier Gladys Berejiklian said. “If all of us stick together and continue to do the right thing, we will hopefully see those trends continue with a greater proportion of those cases identified in isolation.”

Concerns remain for potential exposures at Fairfield Hospital and Royal North Shore Hospital after a 24-year-old student nurse worked shifts while infectious.

State chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant said the impacted wards had been shut and rapid testing of staff and patients was continuing. Tests so far had all come back negative, she said.

“It’s much too early to tell whether we will have any transmission and we have taken a very broad, infectious period because of our concern about the vulnerability of healthcare settings.”

It is understood a household contact of the student nurse had tested positive to the virus. NSW police have stepped up enforcement and compliance efforts, with 59 penalty infringement notices issued between Tuesday and Wednesday.

Deputy Commissioner Gary Warboys said a further 213 cautions had been written up, along with three Covid-related charges. He cited the case of two women charged after allegedly being discovered 200km from their home, allegedly on a holiday.

The majority of infringements related to mask-related offences on the transport network, Deputy Commissioner Warboys said.