Sydney CBD coronavirus cluster grows as state records nine new cases
New South Wales has recorded nine new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, with a cluster linked to a venue in the Sydney CBD growing to eight.
All the new cases were locally acquired, with five linked to a cluster in Sydney’s CBD and four linked to previously reported cases. There were 30,117 tested carried out over the 24-hour period.
Three newly diagnosed COVID-19 cases attended the City Tattersalls gym and two attended the building at 300 George Street, bringing the total number of cases linked to the Sydney CBD cluster to eight.
Anyone who attended the gym between 8am and 2pm on August 19, 21 or 23 is considered a close contact and must immediately get tested, self-isolate at home for 14 days, and get tested again if symptoms develop.
Other members of the club who were at the venue during those dates should get tested if they develop symptoms.
On Wednesday, Chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant urged anyone who was at 300 George St on August 19, 20, 21 or 24 to be on high alert for symptoms after one of the cases worked there while infectious.
The building is located two blocks from Wynyard Station at a busy intersection near retail stores and a food court.
NSW Health is also contacting all known attendees of the Hunters Hill Bowling Club indoor dining room on August 23 from midday to 2pm.
They are considered close contacts of cases and must immediately get tested, self-isolate for 14 days even if the test is negative and get retested if symptoms occur.
People who attended other areas of the club are considered casual contacts and must monitor for symptoms and get tested if any develop.
Confirmed cases attended a number of other venues, and anyone who visited the following locations during these times must also monitor for symptoms and get tested if any develop:
- 4Pines Manly Brew Bar on The Esplanade August 23 from 3.30pm to 5pm
- The Magpies restaurant, Waitara; August 24 from11.30am to 1.15pm
- Destro’s Pharmacy, 197-201 Victoria Road Drummoyne; August 22 from 11.20am to 11.40am
- Fitness First, Bond Street Sydney CBD; August 20 and 21 in the afternoon
- Fitness First Balgowlah; August 23 from 9am to midday.
NSW Health is calling all close contacts at the gyms to direct them to self-isolate and get tested.
On Wednesday, a NSW Health spokesperson said one of the cases linked to the City Tattersalls visited the Royal Hospital for Women in Randwick, including the hospital's Windscreens Cafe on Tuesday morning.
The person developed symptoms later in the day and sought a COVID-19 test. The hospital screens all staff and visitors, and was working to identify all contacts of that person, the spokesperson said.
There is also an alert after a case went to an Active Dance class at Virgin Gym in Zetland at 7.40pm on August 24.
Anyone who attended the gym class were being considered close contacts by NSW Health, and must get tested and isolate at home for 14 days regardless of symptoms or test results.
Others who were at that gym between 7.30pm and 10pm should get tested even if they have mild symptoms, the health spokeswoman said.
There are 74 COVID-19 cases being treated by NSW Health, including six in intensive care, four of whom are on ventilators. Roughly 85 per cent of cases being treated by NSW Health are in non-acute, out-of-hospital care.
Victoria recorded 113 new cases on Thursday, the lowest total since July 5, alongside 23 deaths, a near-record daily death toll. The number of people who have died in Victoria from coronavirus has increased to 485.
More to come