NSW records five new cases of COVID-19, late night bus passengers are now 'close contacts'
NSW has recorded five new cases of COVID-19, three of which are local cases and two in returned overseas travellers in hotel quarantine.
Two of the three new local cases are linked to a known case or cluster, with one connected to the Liverpool private clinic cluster and one in a social contact of a previous case with an unknown source.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Minister for Health Brad Hazzard.Credit:Louise Kennerley
One of the new local cases is still under investigation. NSW Health is also advising that anyone who was at Lakemba Radiology from midday to 2.30pm on October 1 is considered a casual contact of a case and should monitor for symptoms.
Health advice has also been updated for passengers on a train replacement service bus that left Central at 11.48pm on October 4 and arrived at Strathfield at 12.15am on October 5.
The passengers, who were previously considered casual contacts of a case are now considered close contacts and are being told to immediately get tested and self-isolate for 14 days from the time of travel on the bus service.
"Passengers should remain isolated for the full 14 days regardless of the test results," NSW Health spokeswoman Christine Selvey said on Sunday.
Additionally, NSW Health has excluded a previously reported case after further investigation, bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases confirmed in NSW so far to 4088.
There are currently 55 people being treated by NSW Health, including one person in an intensive care unit.
The state recorded five consecutive days without new cases of community transmission at the beginning of October before a spate of local cases were confirmed this week.
NSW health authorities are urging people to continue getting tested if they have even the mildest of symptoms.
“COVID-19 is still likely to be circulating in the community and we must all be vigilant,” NSW Health spokesman Dr Michael Douglas said earlier this week.
There were 12,823 tests conducted in the 24 hours to 8pm on Saturday, down from 15,439 in the previous 24-hour period.
At the same time, Treasurer Dominic Perrottet has flagged a potential move to ease the one person per four square metres rule to one person per two square metres.
"On pure mass it would double the ability for cafes and restaurants, which would have a big impact on the economy," Mr Perrottet said.
"We continue to work with industry and with health to find a right balance which keeps people in work but keeps people safe."
NSW Health has been contacted for comment on whether it will support the proposed change.
Victoria recorded 12 new cases of COVID-19 and one death in the last 24 hours.
The state's Premier Daniel Andrews said the planned easing of some restrictions next week was likely to be less far-reaching than he had hoped, as new cases of community transmission and cases with an unknown source of infection continue to emerge.
“The tail of this second wave was always going to be stubborn and that’s exactly the way it is panning out,” The Premier said.
“I think it unlikely that we will be able to move as fast as we would like to have done next Sunday, I think it’s unlikely that we will be able to take as big steps as we might have hoped to take.
Victoria has recorded 10 cases with an unknown source of infection in the past 14 days.
Pallavi Singhal is a data journalist at The Sydney Morning Herald