[ad_1]
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australia’s most populous state, New South Wales, reported eight new COVID-19 cases on Sunday as new restrictions on social distancing and mandatory mask wear were implemented, while neighboring Victoria had three new ones. cases.
The NSW outbreak, which began in mid-December on Sydney’s northern beaches, now stands at 148. There are also smaller clusters in western and southern Sydney, which authorities fear could increase in the years. next days.
NSW will enforce the use of masks from midnight in closed places like game rooms, hair salons, nail salons and retail stores.
“I would encourage the community across Greater Sydney to wear masks in accordance with the law, but do it yourself, do it for your family, do it for your community, that’s the main reason,” said State Health Minister Brad Hazzard.
The three Victoria cases on Sunday were linked to the same Melbourne restaurant, although the source of the infection is still under investigation.
Health authorities have identified 220 “close contacts” and more than 50 “exposure sites” linked to positive cases.
But, “the important thing is that they are in quarantine when diagnosed so that the risk of further transmission is reduced,” Victoria’s deputy health director Allen Cheng said in Melbourne.
Victoria, who now has more than 30 active cases, has made masks mandatory across the state, while limiting assemblies and closing her border with New South Wales.
Cheng said there are now 21 cases involving coffee and family gatherings of people linked to Smile Buffalo Thai coffee in Melbourne’s bayside suburb of Black Rock.
However, Cheng reiterated that the source is still unknown.
“We are looking at various lines of investigation,” Cheng said.
“We have obtained more genomic results … and they
they are all broadcast compatible with each other and are also tied to the New South Wales group. “
Australia has reported more than 28,450 COVID-19 cases and 909 deaths since the pandemic began. (Graphic: https://tmsnrt.rs/34pvUyi)
(Reporting by Swati Pandey; Editing by David Gregorio)
[ad_2]
