A Sydney man in his 70s has died after contracting the COVID-19 virus, NSW Health has confirmed today.
The health authority said the man was a resident of Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
“NSW Health extends its sincere sympathies to his family.”
It’s not known whether the man had been vaccinated against the virus.
The state has recorded 89 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 since yesterday, with 75 linked to a known case or cluster.
NSW Health says 59 are household contacts and 16 are close contacts of confirmed cases of the virus, while the source of infection for 14 cases remains under investigation.
“Fifty-five cases were in isolation throughout their infectious period and nine cases were in isolation for part of their infectious period. Twenty-one cases were infectious in the community, and the isolation status of four cases remain under investigation,” NSW Health said.
There are currently 65 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 21 people in intensive care, four of whom require ventilation.
Of the 89 new cases, 64 are from South Western Sydney Local Health District (LHD), 15 are from South Eastern Sydney LHD, five are from Sydney LHD, three are from Western Sydney LHD, one is from Northern Sydney LHD and one is from Nepean Blue Mountains LHD.
“We cannot have visitors to our homes, and everyone is reminded that your household only includes those who live with you, not any other family members,” NSW Health said.
“People in Greater Sydney must stay at home unless it is absolutely necessary to leave. You should only be shopping for essential items and only leaving the house for as short a period of time as possible. We encourage people to shop online or use click and collect options. If you do leave home for an essential reason, remember to check in anywhere you attend.”
“We are asking people not to seek exceptions to the rules, but to ensure they comply with them, so we reduce the number of infectious cases of COVID-19 in the community.”
One further case has been linked to an apartment block in the Eastern Suburbs. Nine cases of COVID have now been identified in recent days across five different households.
“These cases reinforce the need for everyone to wear a face mask in a shared foyer or lobby, lifts, stairwells and corridors, and shared laundry facilities of apartment complexes. This advice applies to everyone, including residents, visitors, building managers, concierge staff, contractors, delivery drivers and cleaners,” NSW Health said.
NSW Health’s ongoing sewage surveillance program has also detected fragments of the virus that causes COVID-19 in a number of sewerage systems in Sydney. Of particular concern for NSW Health is a detection at Ropes Creek, which has no known cases.
Ropes Creek sewage treatment plant serves about 77,000 people in suburbs including Minchinbury, Dharruk, Hassall Grove, Blackett, Bidwill, Plumpton, Oakhurst, Hebersham, Emerton, Ropes Crossing, North St Marys, St Clair, Oxley Park, Colyton, Mount Druitt, Rooty Hill, Lethbridge Park, Tregear, Whalan, Erskine Park, Shalvey, Willmot, Shanes Park, Marsden Park, St Marys and Eastern Creek.
People in these areas are asked to be especially vigilant for the onset of any cold-like symptoms, and if they appear, to be tested immediately and isolate until a negative result is received.
