22 July 2020

Sixteen new cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed in the 24 hours to 8.00pm last night bringing the total number of cases in NSW to 3,425.

CasesCount
Confirmed cases (including interstate residents in NSW health care facilities)3,425
Deaths (in NSW from confirmed cases)51
Cases reported recovered2,799
Total tests carried out1,236,620

There were 18,465 tests carried out in the 24-hour reporting period, compared with 15,903 tests in the previous 24 hours. There are 91 COVID-19 cases being treated by NSW Health, with two in intensive care. One, a man in his 70’s is ventilated and on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). In NSW, 2,799 people are known to have recovered from COVID-19.

The 16 new cases are:

  • three people associated with the Crossroads Hotel cluster who are close contacts of known confirmed cases.
  • eleven people are associated with the Thai Rock restaurant cluster - these include one man in his 60s from Hunter New England who is a close contact of a case
  • one person from Western Sydney who is a close contact of previously reported case that is not associated with a known cluster
  • one is a returned traveller in hotel quarantine.

There have been no additional cases associated with the Batemans Bays Soldiers Club cluster today. Investigations are continuing into the original source of infection. There are now 53 cases associated with the Crossroads Hotel cluster, 37 cases associated with the Thai Rock restaurant and eight cases associated with the Batemans Bay Soldiers Club.

Genetic sequencing of virus for cases from the Crossroads Hotel, Thai Rock restaurant and Batemans Bay Soldiers Club clusters shows that they are linked to virus strains in Victoria.

Most cases have been linked to known clusters. However community transmission continues, and NSW Health is calling on people across the state to redouble their efforts to stop the virus spreading.

If people have been directed to undertake a full 14 self-isolation period, they must stay in isolation for the full period, even if they undertake a test that comes back negative. This is because early testing may not detect an infection, and release from self-isolation based on a negative test could allow an infectious person to infect others in the community. The self-isolation period is 14 days as most people who are infected and develop symptoms will develop symptoms within 14 days of infection.

Everyone needs to be aware that there has been transmission in venues such as hotels and restaurants, gyms and social gatherings and therefore they should exercise particular caution in those situations.

While it is not a legal requirement, it would be preferable and safer for the time being to avoid all non-essential travel, and not host or attend gatherings of more than 10 people at home (not withstanding that the legal limit is 20 people). Everyone should observe social distancing and hygiene measures and consider wearing a face mask in situations where social distancing is not possible.

Following further investigation, as the previously reported case sat outside while dining, patrons of the Holy Duck restaurant in Central Park who attended on 10 July are only required to isolate and test for COVID-19 if they develop symptoms.

It is critical that anyone feeling unwell – even with the mildest of symptoms such as a runny nose or scratchy throat – seeks testing and self-isolates until they get the result. Stay at home, and do not go to work or catch public transport until you are cleared of COVID-19. A full list of COVID-19 testing clinics is available or people can visit their GP.

People who work in high-risk settings such as healthcare facilities or aged care homes must not to attend work if they have symptoms and must get tested immediately. People should also not visit relatives in these settings if they have even the mildest of symptoms or have recently returned from Victoria or attended affected venues.

It is essential people follow directions they receive about home isolation and quarantine and maintain COVID-safe practices of physical distancing of 1.5 metres, cough or sneeze into their elbow, and regularly wash their hands.

Confirmed cases to date

By likely source of infectionCount
Overseas2,000
Interstate acquired76
Locally acquired – contact of a confirmed case and/or in a known cluster985
Locally acquired – contact not identified364
Under investigation0
Total3,425

Counts reported for a particular day may vary over time with ongoing enhanced surveillance activities.

Returned travellers in hotel quarantine to date

Since 29 March 2020Count
Symptomatic travellers tested4,048
Found positive119
Since 30 June 2020Count
Asymptomatic travellers screened at a day 26,942
Found positive48
Since 15 May 2020Count
Asymptomatic travellers screened at a day 1020,633
Found positive
110

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