NSW has recorded five new cases of community-transmitted COVID-19.
The new case count includes the previously reported cases of a man who attended Mt Druitt Hospital while ill along with his partner.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian today urged NSW residents to get tested if they have symptoms after a “disappointing” day of testing yesterday that saw just 14,738 tests conducted.
“The disease is still bubbling along in the community and we need to be vigilant about that,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We really need to have higher testing levels if we are to combat the rumblings that are still going on and we know that it takes some time to completely get to the target of zero community transmission after that has been an outbreak.
Among the new cases today are two infections in the Northern Beaches – northern zone – a man and woman in their 40s. The source of their infections is now under investigation.
Another case, a woman in her 40s, has been linked to Sydney’s Berala cluster after the woman confirmed that she had shopped at BWS bottle shop at Berala on December 29.
The Premier urged NSW residents to focus on limiting the number of people they interact with each day, reminding the public of the five people per household, per day rule.
“Try and reduce interactions between households, use good common sense – don’t have more than five people in your house,” she told media this morning.
“If there are any remnants of the virus in the community, the chance of spreading is high.
“The one restriction we want everyone to focus on is not more than five people in your home in one day.”
She said NSW would continue to take a common sense approach to managing the pandemic.
“I don’t want a situation that exists in other states where others things are done quickly.
“We will do things quickly when we have to, but I want us to have a situation where we always strive to maintain a level of normality.
“Anyone who thinks we’re going to eliminate this disease doesn’t appreciate what the pandemic means.”
