The state’s south coast is on high alert after positive cases from Sydney’s south west cluster visited a number of locations in the highly-populated beachside suburb of Shellharbour, south of Wollongong.
NSW Health has issued warnings for a number of venues, locations and bus routes, including Shellharbour South Beach and the ‘Little Park’ playground in the heart of the Shellharbour village.
“Anyone who visited these locations last Sunday, October 11, between 12 noon and 4pm is considered a casual contact and is being directed to monitor for symptoms and get tested immediately if any develop,” NSW Health said today in a statement.
There are also new health alerts for Gregory Hills Hotel in the Macarthur region, the 1500 United Cinema and Woolworths in Oran Park.
“Anyone who visited the hotel on the evening of Friday, October 9 or the cinema on Saturday, October 10 between 12.50 and 3pm is potentially a close contact and should monitor for symptoms and get tested if they develop.”
While anyone who was at Oran Park Woolworths last Monday, October 12, between 6.40 and 6.55pm is also considered a casual contact, the department said.
Yesterday, NSW Health also warned about a positive case visiting the same store on October 12 between 7 and 7.30pm.
A number of bus routes have also been identified as potential contamination sites:
- Bus 840 from Oran Park Drive (South Street Circuit) to Campbelltown Station on Wednesday 14 October, 9.40am-10.10am
- Bus 885 from Campbelltown Station to Bradbury on Wednesday 14 October, 10.15am-10.45am
- Bus 885 from Bradbury to Campbelltown Station on Wednesday 14 October, 2pm-2.30pm
- Bus 840 from Campbelltown Station to Bradbury on Wednesday 14 October, 3pm-3.30pm
NSW has reported one new case of locally transmitted COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night and an additional four cases in overseas travellers in hotel quarantine.
“The one new locally acquired case is a close contact of cases linked to Great Beginnings Childcare Centre in Oran Park, who were reported yesterday. There are now six cases associated with this childcare centre, and 19 in total in the Oran Park community cluster,” NSW Health said.
“All staff and children who attended Great Beginnings Childcare Centre between 2 and 13 October are considered close contacts and must get tested immediately and self-isolate for a full 14 days from when they last attended. They must stay isolated for their full isolation period regardless of their test result. Contact tracing and investigations are continuing.”
It said the centre has been closed since 13 October and will remain closed until 28 October.
“Everyone plays an important role in helping to contain the pandemic by getting tested quickly and following social distancing rules. Get tested on the day you get symptoms – don’t wait to see if they go away. Assume it’s COVID-19 until proven otherwise by a test. There is no limit on how many tests you can have.”
“Testing is quick, free, and easy and most people receive their test result within 24 hours. If you have even the mildest of symptoms like a runny nose or scratchy throat, cough, fever or other symptoms that could be COVID-19, please come forward for testing right away.”
There are over 300 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW. To find your nearest clinic visit COVID-19 testing clinics or contact your GP.