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Australian health authorities are racing to contain a cluster of Covid-19 that has spread from a gym in Sydney’s CBD to the city’s northern and western suburbs and down to the central coast.
Eight of the 14 new cases detected in NSW in the last 24 hour reporting period are linked to the Sydney CBD group believed to have originated from the gym at the City Tattersalls Club on Pitt Street.
The new cases bring the group’s total to 23, and health authorities warn that the group is likely to grow.
Of the eight new cluster cases, three attended the City Tattersalls Club, three are known contacts of previously reported cases and two are household contacts of previously reported cases, said NSW Health spokeswoman Dr. Christine Selvey.
Subsequent investigations found that one of the mysterious cases reported on Friday is linked to the Sydney CBD group.
“NSW Health is investigating whether the group originated from the City Tattersalls Club and then spread to workplaces in the city and to homes in Sydney and the central coast,” said Dr. Selvey.
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The three new cases, who were exposed to Covid-19 in the gym, attended the center in recent days but did not know they were infectious.
NSW urges everyone who attended the center between 8 a.m. M. And 2 p.m. M. On August 19, 21, 23, 24 and 25 to take the test and isolate herself for 14 days since her last visit.
Genomic sequencing of the virus shows that the Sydney CBD cluster is linked to other clusters in New South Wales and is genetically different from the virus detected in a traveler and two security guards at the Marriott Hotel, Dr Selvey said.
Nine
Workers go to the City Tattersalls gym in Sydney, Australia, to deep clean it on Wednesday.
All identified close contacts of the Sydney CBD cases have been contacted and told to self-isolate for 14 days for a test and then another test if any symptoms develop. They must remain in isolation for the full 14 days, even if they test negative.
Dr. Selvey urged everyone who attended the City Tattersalls Club between August 4-18 to get tested for Covid-19 and to isolate themselves until they test negative.
The new Covid-19 cases reported on Saturday visited various locations in Mosman, St Ives and Rosebery while they were potentially infectious.
Meanwhile, Director of Nursing and Midwifery Alison McMillan has urged Australians not to become complacent after Victoria recorded fewer than 100 Covid-19 cases for the first time since July.
Anyone who attended the following locations at the following times should monitor for symptoms, get tested immediately if they develop, and remain isolated until a negative result is received:
- Archie Bear Café, Mosman Rowers on Monday, August 24 between 11 a.m. and 12 noon and Tuesday, August 25 between 9 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.
- Rosebery Post Shop, 371 Gardeners Road, Rosebery, Wednesday, August 26, 1:30 p.m. to 1:40 p.m.
- St Ives Shopping Center, 166 Mona Vale Road, St Ives on Monday, August 24, between 2.30 pm and 3.30 pm
Three of the 14 new cases reported on Saturday were acquired locally without a known source, two are domestic contacts of previously reported cases linked to Liverpool Hospital and one is in a quarantined hotel traveler.
A positive Covid-19 also attended the Caringbah Hotel, in southern Sydney, on August 22 between 8:30 pm and 11:30 pm.
The site, which was briefed on the case Saturday, said a deep cleaning was scheduled overnight.
The hotel has provided NSW Health with contact details for staff and guests who attended the venue during the same period of time.
NSW Health is treating 67 cases of Covid-19, including six in intensive care, four of which are connected to ventilators. Approximately 85 percent of the cases treated by NSW Health are in non-acute care outside of the hospital.
On Friday night, NSW Health issued a stern warning that people living and working in the Sydney metropolitan area or the Central Coast should stay away from senior care facilities for 14 days as they prepare for daily double-digit case increases over multiple days.
“This is a precaution while the cluster is investigated, cases are identified and isolated, and contact tracing is performed,” said Dr. Selvey.
The move means that families may not be able to visit their elderly parents in nursing homes next Father’s Day weekend.
NSW Health is expected to provide an update on this advice next week.
On Friday, data from NSW Health revealed that half of those who tested positive took three days to isolate themselves.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian warned that people who delayed testing and self-isolation despite having symptoms of coronavirus were dramatically increasing their risk of infecting loved ones and the community.
24,632 tests were conducted in the last 24-hour reporting period, compared to 30,282 tests the day before.
