22 September 2020

​Two new cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed in the 24 hours to 8pm last night, bringing the total number of cases in NSW to 4,017. Both are returned overseas travellers in hotel quarantine.

Cases Count
Confirmed cases (including interstate residents in NSW health care facilities) 4,017
Deaths (in NSW from confirmed cases)​​ 55
Total tests carried out 2,600,064

There were 7,616 tests reported in the 24-hour reporting period, compared with 7,765 in the previous 24 hours. 

Testing numbers have declined in recent weeks. 

NSW Health is appealing to the community to come forward for testing right away if you have a runny nose or scratchy throat, cough, fever or other symptoms that could be COVID-19. 

If people don’t come forward and get tested, we can’t keep the pandemic at bay. 

We would like to see testing levels above 20,000 as achieved last week, particularly in South Western Sydney, and ahead of school holidays. For the sake of your friends and family, get a test. And if symptoms recur even a few days later, test again. It’s free.

While there were no locally acquired cases recorded in the past 24 hours, the virus is likely still circulating and it is imperative anyone displaying mild symptoms get tested immediately and not delay their test.

NSW Health has been and continues to strongly encourage people to wear masks when unable to physically distance, particularly in indoor settings and on public transport, to keep everyone safe. As previously advised, when taking taxis or rideshare commuters should sit in the back and wear a mask. 

Locations linked to known cases, advice on testing and isolation, and areas identified for increased testing can be found here: NSW Government - Latest news and updates.

NSW Health is treating 77 COVID-19 cases, including three in intensive care, one of whom is being ventilated. Eighty-four per cent of cases being treated by NSW Health are in non-acute, out-of-hospital care.

COVID-19 continues to circulate in the community and we must all be vigilant. To help stop the spread of COVID-19: 

  • If you are unwell, get tested and isolate right away – don’t delay.
  • Wash your hands regularly. Take hand sanitiser with you when you go out.
  • Keep your distance. Leave 1.5 metres between yourself and others. 
  • Wear a mask on public transport, ride share, taxis, shopping, places of worship and other places where you can’t physically distance. 

A full list of COVID-19 testing clinics is available or people can visit their GP.

Confirmed cases to date

By likely source of infection Count
Overseas 2,131
Interstate acquired​ 90
Locally acquired – contact of a confirmed case and/or in a known cluster 1,405
Locally acquired – contact not identified 391
Under investigation 0
Total 4,017

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 2020 Count
Symptomatic trav​ellers tested 5,257
Found positive 125
Since 30 June 2020 Count
Asymptomatic tr​avellers screened at day 2 26,640
Found positive 135
Since 15 May 2020 Count
Asymptomatic travellers screened at day 10 39,297
Found positive 121
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