Sydney on high alert as new COVID cluster grows

By Ashley Wallace

Sydney on high alert as new COVID cluster grows
Sydney residents are being urged to remain vigilant as the number of locally acquired coronavirus cases in the city grows.

There has been a dramatic increase in community cases since Wednesday, with 17 cases identified in the Northern Beaches area.

12 new cases linked to the cluster were confirmed on Thursday afternoon.

Residents north of the Spit Bridge to Palm Beach in northern Sydney are being urged to stay home as much as possible for the next three days as contact tracing continues.

One of the women who tested positive on Thursday is an aged care worker. She had no symptoms, but came forward for testing after NSW Health listed high-risk venues.

“That person did not have any symptoms. That person was tested because of our advice around coming forward for testing if you have been at any sites,” NSW chief medical officer Dr Kerry Chant said.

“Remember, for those sites we say even if you had symptoms or not, get tested.”

The new infections ended a nearly two-week run of zero cases in NSW. Health officials in NSW are urging anyone in the Northern Beaches with “even the slightest of symptoms” to get tested for coronavirus.

“It could be something as simple as fatigue, the most minor of a sore, scratchy throat, itchy throat, temperature, a bit of a cough, whatever it may be,” said NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard.

“Don’t feel guilty or bad about going and using the local public health services. We want you to.

“If you go and get tested you are effectively giving a Christmas gift to your friends, your family and the entire NSW community but particularly those on the Northern Beaches.”

Meanwhile, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian also urged the public to “remain as vigilant as ever”.

“We really want to get on top of this, we don’t want this to concern us leading into the last few days before Christmas,” she said.

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