NSW Update Jan 3 Acting Premier Barilaro

18923 tests-thank you but also need to increase testing across the state

11 new
3 OS in HQ

8 local
2 household contacts of Avalon cluster
5 connected to Berala cluster
1 connected to known source in Wollongong

Please wear masks in indoor settings

CHO

8 new locally acquired

5 linked to Berala -total 13

Avalon 2 new 148 total

1 case contact or case in Wollongong

5 of cases today linked to Western SW Sydney

Change advice to BWS venue in Berala

Transmission event there and through apparently brief exposure

Anyone at BWS Berala
Tues 22 Dec and Thur 31 Dec for any amount of time in time listed is a Clos contact-test and isolate 14 days regardless of result

Dec
22nd 12:41-9:15 pm
23rd 1:40-9:25 pm
24th 12:40-9:17 pm
26th 9:55 am -7:15 pm
27th 12:39-8:15 pm
28th 930am -7:15 pm
29th 1:41pm -9:15 pm
30th 12:45 -9:16
31 8:30 am -3 pm

Over 2000 told to test and isolate linked to BWS and reviewing CCTV to see how events occurred, also reward cards etc

Genomic sequencing

Berala cluster same genome as patient transport driver no Avalon

2 different strains

Family group returned from OS and transported to health facility

Transport worker infected-passed to colleague who was at BWS Berala for meeting period

Have clear line of transmission and less missing links

Case yesterday still a concern can't find links to Avalon

Know Wollongong and Croydon are linked genetically but haven't found epidemiological link

Hazzard

Major concerns around Berala so need for more testing

Those in Western and SW Sydney and Wollongong to test

One test may not be it

If get asked to test again do and if symptoms develop or change test

Masks compulsorily from midnight

Wear them in settings from yesterday and bank branches
Post offices
Hairdressers

Beauty salons
Tanning salons

Spas

Tattoo parlours

Betting agencies
Gaming lounges

etc

Some medical exemptions and some may be going to buy a mask

Not time to avoid mask but to wear them

Acting Police Commissioner

Indoor settings wear masks required on health website

Offences come into effect from midnight

Initially will be focussed on combine and work with community to understand nature of orders and comply

HAven't had to enforce significant number of offences as community worked with us

Is $200 fine but last resort

BWS -1 worker transmitted to another worker and 9 trading days-how many served by 2 individuals ?

Not confirming who acquired it there or who spread it

1000 customers served there Christmas Eve-may have been peak time but gives idea of number

Worth asking secondary contacts to come forward?
Asking anyone with symptoms to test and isolate until result

Reached out to 2000 people

If you have been to BWS rest of household should stay put

If any have symptoms need to test

If you are positive then whole household needs to isolate 14 days

Sounds like particularly precarious situation?

Have had a large number of venue contacts through Avalon RSL and Bowlo
Upwards of 5-6000 contact faced at any time

Difference is brevity of exposure at BWS hence concern over transmission potential

Expect number of people have been tested who have gone there but asking them to stay to stay in isolation in 14 days

Linked to patient transport how?

Look at where people have been and upstream testing

Looking after sick people with COVID was possible path but also had Avalon at same time

Person associate with patient transport driver went to BWS Berala on Dec 20th

We think this is the exposure and triggered infections

Index case for Avalon?

May never find it

Thanks people who have given blood etc

Secondary close contacts ?

They are asked to isolate until negative test and should be self separating but priority at moment is getting directly exposed and anyone else with symptoms

If you have symptoms and are tested ask friends and family to stay put until clear test and don't go to AC facilities

Not just contacts of contacts at risk spa asking everyone to come forward to test

To clarify asking tens of thousands of people to isolate until initial close contacts get results ?

That is correct

Asking people to act prudently

Heartened when find people who come forward for test and they are linked

Masks?

Really focussed on indoor settings

Help control spread

Hazzard asked about testing issues in Victoria ?

In recent times sent them nurses and PH officials to Vic and their team have come up here to look at tracing

NSW always tried to keep borders open ...not passing negative comments on Victoria

Help for Victorians stranded in NSW ?

Looking at that and working with Vic govt
No clarity at this stage

NSW has been handing out masks in hot spot areas and offered to FACS masks for those families who can't afford them

CHO on case in South Western Sydney?

One unlinked case in recent days but one was linked to BWS
Have to check which case is still unlinked

5 cases out of Berala all linked to BWS?

5 linked to Berala
Some household contacts and some linked to previous cases in Berala
Yep -2 cases 40 yo and another in late 20s who attended BWS as well

Strain -any specific strain linked to variants?

Understand strain no increased transmissibility but will check with experts to review strain involved

Barilaro on SCG test?

Health working with SCG and having people in zones

Also issues around wet weather

Are concerned about Berala cluster
Those from broader Cumberland should reconsider going to test