Ten new cases in NSW from almost 20,000 tests
NSW reported 10 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, including six returned travellers and four locally acquired - all linked to known cases or clusters.
There were 19,566 tests carried out in the 24 hours to 8pm on Tuesday, a significant improvement on the 8,835 tests recorded the previous day and the steady decline in testing rates over the last three weeks.
NSW has recorded seven days in a row of five or fewer new locally -acquired cases, and the only mystery case reported yesterday was a false-positive.
Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said one of the new cases reported today is a close contact of a previously confirmed case linked to the CBD cluster. They became symptomatic after they had finished their self-isolation period and had previously tested negative. Contact tracing is underway.
Three of the new cases are linked to a staff member from Concord Emergency Department: a student at Blue Mountains Grammar School who attended school while infectious late last week, a household contact of the student, and a close contact of the student who is not at school.
Dr Chant said contact tracing is underway and the Blue Mountains Grammar School's senior school (years 10, 11, 12) has moved to online learning until after the school holidays.
Two of the new cases above visited the Springwood Sports Club at 83 Macquarie Road in Springwood.
Anyone who attended on 12 September from 1pm to 2pm is considered a casual contact and must monitor for symptoms, get tested immediately if they develop, and isolate until they receive a negative test result.
They also visited Lawson Oval, Lawson and anyone who attended on 13 September from 10.30am to 12.45pm is also considered a casual contact and must monitor for symptoms, get tested immediately if they develop, and isolate until they receive a negative test result.
People who attended the venues and have been identified as close contacts are being contacted by NSW Health directly.
One of the cases reported today attended the Hunters Hill Bowling Club on Tuesday 8th September from 6.50pm to 9pm.
NSW Health is contacting all patrons who were at the venue at this time to review their exposure and identify any close contacts. Anyone who was at the venue at this time should be alert for symptoms and immediately get tested if any develop or have developed since this exposure, and stay isolated until they receive a negative test result.
One of the cases reported today attended the JB HI-FI Penrith Plaza on Sunday 13 September from 4pm to 4.30pm.
Anyone who was at the venue at this time should be alert for
symptoms and immediately get tested if any develop or have developed since this exposure, and stay isolated until a negative test result is received.
NSW Health is also advising that a previously reported case attended Anytime Fitness, Casula on Friday 11 September from 10.15am to 12pm.
All people who attended the gym during this time are considered a casual contact and must monitor for symptoms and get tested immediately if they develop. After testing, they must remain in isolation until a negative test result is received.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced NSW had 10 new cases. Credit: Louise Kennerley
Melbourne's 14-day average number of new cases has dropped to below 50 - the threshold set to move to the next stage of reopening on September 28.
On Wednesday, Victoria reported 42 new cases on Wednesday and eight deaths.
Queensland reported no new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday. The northern state had recorded just five cases in the last seven days.
More to come
Kate Aubusson is Health Editor of The Sydney Morning Herald.