18 January 2021

NSW recorded zero new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.

There were also eight cases recorded in returned travellers, bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic to 4,885.

There were 8,773 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with the previous day’s total of 12,764. The drop in daily testing numbers is an increasing concern, and NSW Health renews its calls for people to get tested if they are experiencing even the mildest of symptoms.

CasesCount
Confirmed cases (including interstate residents in NSW health care facilities)4,885
Deaths (in NSW from confirmed cases) 56
Total tests carried out 4,481,689

All eight new cases reported to 8pm last night were acquired overseas.

Whole genome sequencing suggests the seven cases reported over the weekend are linked to the Berala cluster. Investigations and contact tracing are underway to establish the route of acquisition. While an epidemiological link has not yet been made, there is the possibility that others in the community may have the virus.

High testing rates are critical to our efforts to identify COVID-19 cases and to prevent it from spreading. This is particularly important in areas where recent cases have attended, including Auburn, Berala, and surrounding suburbs, as well as across western and south-west Sydney.

Communities in these areas are asked to be vigilant, with anyone experiencing any cold- or flu-like symptoms, no matter how mild, to isolate immediately, get tested and continue to isolate until a negative result is received.

The best thing we can do for our friends and family is to get tested; by doing so, we are helping to keep them all safe.

People are urged to check the NSW Government website  for regularly updated details of venues of concern, and affected public transport routes, and are asked to follow the health advice provided.

There are more than 350 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW, many of which are open seven days a week. To find your nearest clinic visit COVID-19 clinics or contact your GP.

NSW Health is treating 97 COVID-19 cases, one of whom is in intensive care. Most cases (98 per cent) are being treated in non-acute, out-of-hospital care, including returned travellers in the Special Health Accommodation.

Likely source of confirmed COVID-19 cases in NSW

Likely source of infection
Cases past 24 hours*Cases past 7 days**All cases
Overseas 8392,705
Interstate 0090
Locally acquired – linked to known case or cluster 091,642
Locally acquired – no links to known case or cluster00435
Locally acquired – investigation ongoing 0113
Under initial investigation000
Total 8494,885

Note: Case counts reported for a particular day may vary over time due to ongoing investigations and case review.

*notified from 8pm 16 January 2021 to 8pm 17 January 2021
**from 8pm 11 January 2021 to 8pm 17 January 2021

Returned travellers in hotel quarantine to date

Since 29 March 2020Count
Symptomatic travellers tested
9,052
Found positive188
Since 30 June 2020Count
Asymptomatic travellers screened at day 269,218
Found positive446
From 15 May 2020 to 12 January 2021Count
Asymptomatic travellers screened at day 1079,623
Found positive182
Since 13 January 2021Count
Asymptomatic travellers screened at day 12*1,293
Found positive
1

* Testing previously carried out on day 10 is now carried out on day 12.