Crossroads hotel outbreak continues to grow as NSW records 15 new COVID-19 cases
Three mystery cases of COVID-19 have concerned NSW Health officials as Victoria recorded the highest daily total of cases since the pandemic began.
NSW recorded 15 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, and the Crossroads Hotel outbreak grew to 40 cases.
NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said three of those cases had no obvious links to other known cases at this stage.
“Obviously we are concerned when we find cases that can't be linked back [to outbreaks] because it does indicate that we've missed a chain,” Dr Chant said.
It comes as Victoria confirmed a record 317 daily cases, the highest daily increase since the start of the pandemic. Of the cases, 28 are connected to known outbreaks and 289 are under investigation.
The tally surpassed last Friday’s 288 cases, the previous record-high. The state has recorded more than 200 cases for all but one of the past seven days. Two men in their 80s died, taking the state’s death toll to 29.
Dr Chant said on Thursday that authorities were working to track whether the state's three cases with unknown origin were at any of the venues now linked with the Casula outbreak.
“We will be re-interviewing cases and trying to ascertain any contact points and updating the community about additional actions," she said.
Those cases include a western Sydney woman in her 40s, a south-western Sydney woman in her 40s, and a man in his 30s from the Wollongong area. NSW Health said all three were isolating at home.
“At this critical time I just urge all people … please just reflect, maintain that social distancing, don't go out with your group of friends if you have the mildest symptoms,” Dr Chant said.
Ten of the cases confirmed on Thursday were in the official reporting period of the 24 hours to 8pm Wednesday, and included four people in hotel quarantine. Five other cases were confirmed after that reporting period.
Hurricane's Grill at Brighton Le Sands has been closed for deep cleaning. Credit:Peter Rae
An older teenager who attended Hurricane's Grill in Brighton Le Sands on July 11 between 6 and 8pm with another previously identified COVID-19 case who was infectious at the time of that outing. That venue has been closed for deep cleaning.
A Victorian who flew into Ballina on July 12 on board Jetstar flight JQ 466 has also been diagnosed with COVID-19.
“The person was wearing a surgical mask and was self isolating, but we are doing contact tracing in relation to that flight,” Dr Chant said, adding that person was screened at Ballina airport and later developed symptoms.
The three other cases were linked to the Crossroads outbreak, Dr Chant said.
One of those cases was in a man in his 30s who had been to Casula's Planet Fitness gym. He is the third person to be infected at that facility, after a man who was infected at the Crossroads Hotel attended the gym. The gym was deep cleaned on July 12 but remains closed.
Dr Chant said people needed to be aware their household contacts and social networks were the groups most likely to infect you.
“We have the impression that the people we're associating with day in, day out, are safe and we might let down our guard,” she said. "Don’t have the perception that you’re safe in that environment."
NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant provides a COVID-19 update on Thursday. Credit:Jessica Hromas
"We need to sustain those high rates and testing in south-western Sydney, we’re asking the community to come forward for testing and this will ensure that we can identify the cases of COVID-19."
On Wednesday, Dr Chant said cases in the Casula cluster were becoming infectious as soon as one day after contracting the coronavirus.
She said while the incubation period for COVID-19 is usually within 14 days, "people have developed the symptoms, more towards the one-day period than the 14[days]".
"It gives you very little time for the contact tracers, because you've got to get your cases diagnosed and then you've got to lock down those contacts," Dr Chant said.
"If you've got a sore throat today, don't wait for two days to get it diagnosed. Work with us. Go get tested day one because every day you can give us allows us to to stop that spread."
Earlier on Thursday, NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard warned young people not to become complacent about the threat of coronavirus as they are often the least ill but "can be the most infectious".
"[There was] a young bloke who had one of the highest infection levels we've ever seen. His viral load was capable of spreading to anyone near him," Mr Hazzard told 2GB.
"The health tracers tell me young people get out and about in the evening, and they go to lots of places. If you're sick, for heavens' sake stay home. You're putting everybody at risk.
"We really need young people to wake up, they can be extremely deadly to their elderly relatives."
He said 40 per cent of coronavirus cases were found in 18- to 29-year-olds.
With Sally Rawsthorne