NSW records 516 new Covid cases, 2 new Omicron venues of concern

People suspected of being infectious with the Omicron variant have visited venues in Potts Point and Parramatta. It comes as NSW recorded a big jump in the number of daily Covid cases.

Cult Nightclub, in Potts Point, and Parramatta’s Albion Hotel have been visited by confirmed cases of Covid likely to be carrying the Omicron variant.

On Friday evening, NSW Health said the cases were linked to the previously reported outbreak on a party boat cruise on Sydney Harbour on December 3.

Anyone who attended the Albion Hotel between 11pm on December 3 and 3am December 4, or from 4.30pm to closing time on December 5 is considered a close contact who must immediately get tested, isolate and follow the rules for close contacts.
The same applies to anyone who attended Cult Nightculb at Potts Point between 9.45pm on December 4 and 3am on December 5.

The Albion Hotel at Parramatta was visited by someone suspected of carrying to Omicron variant.

NSW Health has now confirmed a total of 11 confirmed cases of COVID-19 among people who attended the cruise on Sydney Harbour. Three of these cases are confirmed to have the Omicron variant, and more cases of Omicron are expected from this cruise.

More than a dozen Covid cases have also been linked to a Double Bay pub as NSW recorded a big jump in the number of daily infections on Friday.

Health officials reported 516 new Covid cases and no deaths on Friday, a day after 420 cases were identified. There were no new cases of the Omicron variant.

Anyone who attended the Golden Sheaf Hotel on November 20 and November 27 has been urged to get tested after 17 cases were linked to the Double Bay pub.

The Golden Sheaf at Double Bay. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

“People who attended the Golden Sheaf Hotel Double Bay on 20 November from 2:30pm to 9pm or 27 November from 9:15pm to 28 November 1:15am are considered casual contacts and must immediately get tested and isolate until a negative result is received,” a health statement said.

Of the 3683 active cases, 158 have been admitted to hospital with 24 in intesive care and nine requiring ventilation.

Officials also issued an alert for the Albion Hotel in Parramatta after an infected person visited on December 5 from 4:30pm until closing time.

NSW has recorded no new Omicron cases despite a big spike in Covid infections today, with more than a dozen linked to an eastern suburbs pub.

The state has now reached 93 per cent double dose while 94.7 per cent of people aged 16 and above have received one dose.

Meanwhile, a meeting of National Cabinet on Friday noted that Health Minister Greg Hunt has extended the human biosecurity emergency measures for a further two months until February 17, 2022.

This means there will be no change to either the mandatory pre-departure testing and mask wearing for international flights or restrictions on international travel from high risk countries, outbound international travel for unvaccinated Australians and the entry of cruise vessels within Australian territory.

INNER WEST PUB TRIVIA CLUSTER

Health officials in NSW reported eight new cases of the Covid Omicron variant on Thursday, bringing the total number of people infected with the strain to 42.

Among the new cases are several linked to an Inner West pub trivia night.

Forty-six infections have also now been identified after the event at the Oxford Tavern in Petersham on November 30.

Officials are investigating further but none are so far confirmed as Omicron.

The Oxford Tavern at Petersham is temporarily closed after more than 40 Covid cases were linked to a trivia night at the pub. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

Sydney Local Health District said on Thursday that anyone who attended the pub between 4pm and 10.30pm on November 30 is considered a close contact and must immediately get tested and isolate. warned locals about the first 44 cases diagnosed from the trivia night on Facebook on Thursday.

A sign on the Oxford Tavern at Petersham. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

UPDATE: We’ve now had 46 people diagnosed with COVID-19 related to a trivia night at a pub in Petersham. All were fully...

Posted by Sydney Local Health District on Tuesday, December 7, 2021

BYRON BAY NIGHTCLUB ALERT

Byron Bay party goers are also on alert after exposure at a nightclub for four days straight.

Health officials issued an alert for Woody’s Surf Shack Night Club in Byron Bay, after four nights of exposure from a Covid-positive person.

Anyone at the nightclub between 8pm and 3:30am on November 30, December 1, 2 and 3 should go and get tested, according to officials.

“NSW Health is contacting staff and patrons who attended the venue below at the times listed after transmission has been identified,” a statement read.

“Anyone who is not fully vaccinated is considered a close contact and anyone who is fully vaccinated is considered a casual contact.”

Originally published as NSW records 516 new Covid cases, 2 new Omicron venues of concern