Virus spreads to Western Sydney but missing link between Wollongong and Croydon revealed

The virus is continuing to spread across Sydney with several mystery infections revealed, but two key links have finally been made.

The missing link between two worrying virus clusters has been revealed but the news was overshadowed by three new mystery cases of COVID-19 announced in NSW on Friday.

So far none of the three new cases are linked to the northern beaches cluster or associated with the family outbreak in Croydon.

All three cases were in Western Sydney, with two of those from the same household.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said all three are under investigation.

As a result, residents in Greystanes, Berala, Auburn and Lidcombe are being urged to get tested.

“Health is obviously following up on those three cases, two of which are in the same household, to establish any links but we are really keen to make sure that people in those suburbs come forward to get tested even if you have got the mildest of symptoms,” the Premier said.

More than 32,000 tests were conducted in the latest reporting period.

The Swallowed Anchor has been found as the missing link between the Wollongong ands Croydon clusters. Picture: Google Maps

Chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant said the cases in Western Sydney were a man in his 40s, and two men in their 20s. Two of the cases are household contacts.

They were yet to be linked to the Avalon cluster which stands at 146 cases.

Further investigations revealed a case from the Croydon cluster and a case from Wollongong both attended the Swallowed Anchor restaurant in Wollongong.

Genomic sequencing also indicated the Croydon cluster is linked to the original Avalon outbreak.

Anyone who attended the Swallowed Anchor at any time on December 19 must get tested and self-isolate until they receive further advice from NSW Health.

“The genomic sequencing result came back late yesterday, and what that showed is the Croydon cluster is linked to the Avalon cluster and the two cases recorded in Wollongong are also linked to the Avalon cluster,” Dr Chant confirmed to reporters on Friday.

“All those cases are linked, and investigations and contact tracing are trying to establish the epidemiological links, particularly to identify those missing links and hence the importance in relation to the Swallowed Anchor restaurant.

“There may have been a person at that restaurant who unknowingly had COVID-19 at that time who then had exposures or links to the northern beaches venues or sites.”

Two positive cases also travelled from Victoria to NSW on December 30 and dined at the Great Southern Hotel in Eden, on the NSW south coast, between 5pm and 6.30pm.

Dr Chant said the venue has been contacted and contact tracing is under way.

NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant said there are still a few missing links. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

The pair are linked to the Smile Buffalo Thai Restaurant cluster in Black Rock and were told they were close contacts of another case while on their way to NSW before they got tested.

One of the cases also ate at the Bermi’s Beachside Cafe in Bermagui between 9pm and 10pm on December 31.

Meanwhile, a Bunnings and a bottle shop are among the new NSW venues visited by a confirmed case of coronavirus.

Anyone who attended the following venues at the listed times is considered a casual contact who must get tested and isolate until they receive a negative result.

BERALA: BWS, 15-16 Woodburn Road, December 24 from 4.45pm to 9.06pm, on December 26 from 9.55am to 7.04pm, and December 28 from 12.44pm to 7.15pm.

BERALA: Pure Thai, 160 Woodburn Road, on December 26 from 2pm to 4pm, and December 28 from 2pm to 4pm.

Anyone who attended the following venues at the times listed should monitor for symptoms.

SMITHFIELD: Bunnings, corner of Cumberland Highway and Sturt Street, on December 29 from 1.15pm to 1.35pm.

SMITHFIELD: Tile Factory Outlet (TFO), 107 Warren Road, on December 29 from 1.30pm to 3.30pm.

Sydney’s inner-west residents rush to get tested as the Croydon outbreak grows. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

The are also fears the outbreak has spread to Victoria with five new cases revealed on Thursday, which were reported in Friday’s numbers. All have links to a Thai restaurant in Black Rock where a NSW returned traveller had dined.

That traveller is yet to return a positive result.

In response, other state premiers have slammed their borders shut to NSW residents, including those who live in, or have visited, regional parts of the state.

News of closures sparked a mad rush for holiday-makers to flee across the Victoria border before the midnight deadline in order to avoid isolating at home for 14 days, triggering hours long queues – some 25km long.

South Australia has also closed its border to NSW, while Western Australia slammed its shut to Victorians.