New South Wales has recorded eight new coronavirus infections with seven of the cases directly linked to the Avalon cluster, Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced on Tuesday.
The eighth case is currently under investigation, and is said to be a healthcare worker from western Sydney who was involved in the transfer of patients from the international airport.
NSW recorded eight locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night, and an additional 10 cases in returned travellers in hotel quarantine.
Seven of the locally acquired cases are linked to the Avalon cluster and one remains under investigation. pic.twitter.com/W8XKS7uZ3t
— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) December 22, 2020
A record high 44,466 tests were reported in the last 24 hours with Berejiklian thanking residents across the city – not just in the northern beaches – for doing the right thing and getting tested.
“This is a record we did not expect and I feel so proud and deeply grateful that people have responded,” she said in her daily presser. “That’s exactly what we want and what we need to see continue.”
While the new case numbers are low, Berejiklian said that the number of impacted venues are still growing, which means the risk of community transmission across Sydney is still high.
COVID-19 cases linked to the Avalon cluster have visited many locations across Sydney. A full list of locations and public transport routes, and the associated public health advice, is available from the NSW Government website at https://t.co/pqkRdfh3cR.
— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) December 22, 2020
“When you have people with the virus who have attended venues outside of the northern beaches community, it always increases our concern to make sure there isn’t a permanent seeding event created by any of those venues,” the Premier said.
“So it’s not only important to lock down anybody who has the virus but also to make sure that we get that information regarding their close contact and make sure they are also tested, isolated, awaiting test results or else in quarantine, in self-isolation.”
Berejiklian reiterated that a decision will be made tomorrow regarding the future of the northern beaches and Greater Sydney. At this stage, there will be no changes happening in regional communities.
In saying that, if you were in the northern beaches from December 10 and you are now in a suburb anywhere across NSW, you should be getting tested and isolating.
“You should be treating the situation as though you are living on the northern beaches and that’s really important,” Berejiklian said.
