Covid-19 Update: New restrictions being considered

YESTERDAY there were more than 44,000 people tested Covid-19 and only eight new cases identified.

Of the eight new cases, seven were linked to the Avalon cluster and the other was a health care worker who was transporting a family of three people from the United States who were displaying symptoms.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said they are assessing what further measures may be needed to contain the outbreak and will make announcements tomorrow.

The Premier flagged any announcements would be specific to the greater Sydney area and not regional New South Wales, stating there was “no reason to consider what is happening the regional communities.”

People from the northern beaches who are currently staying in other areas should be self-isolating if they left the northern beaches between December 10 and 21.

People who have been close contacts or are from the northern beaches need to continue isolating for 14 days, even if their covid-19 test was negative, explained Dr Kerry Chant.

“Don’t rely on a test result…if you are a close contact and you have been told to isolate for 14 days, please do so,” said Dr Chant.

“You may have a negative test today, but you can be positive tomorrow, you have to stay in isolation… the vast majority of people do the right thing,” she said.

The government has updated their list of venues which have been identified as places people who have tested positive have visited: Venue List.

They further confirmed a family who tested positive visited Oliver’s at Gundagai on December 18.

Sewerage surveillance has also identified the virus is present in the treatment plant at Hornsby Heights and people in that area are urged to be vigilant and be tested if they show any symptoms.