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A cluster of Covid-19 developing on Sydney’s north beaches has grown to four as authorities scramble to identify its source just a week before Christmas.
Twelve consecutive days with no locally acquired Covid cases in NSW ended on Wednesday after a Sydney airport driver was confirmed to have the virus and two mysterious cases surfaced on northern beaches.
In total, three new local cases of Covid-19 were discovered between 24 hours and 8 p.m. Wednesday, as well as six cases in hotel quarantine. More than 10,500 tests were conducted during that period.
Two other cases have been identified on northern beaches since 8 p.m. Wednesday, Premier Gladys Berejiklian confirmed Thursday.
The two new cases are on opposite ends of the peninsula, one in Frenchs Forest and the other further north.
Seven locations on the northern beaches have been identified as recently visited by an infected man and woman, primarily in Avalon and Palm Beach.
People began lining up at Mona Vale Hospital early Thursday to get tested for the virus, and a pop-up testing center was established in Avalon.
Berejiklian also noted that some northern beach nursing homes may be closed until the outbreak is contained.
“We want to be aware of this and we do not want this to worry us in the last days before Christmas,” Berejiklian told reporters.
“There are a number of senior care centers that are very vulnerable on the north beaches, so (NSW Health) will also issue a directive to say (to) certain senior care centers on the north beaches, We are not recommending visitors until we identify the source of the infection and feel more confident that we have it under control. “
The latest outbreak has also raised concerns about whether the recently opened Queensland and WA borders will once again be closed to the people of New South Wales over Christmas.
Washington Prime Minister Mark McGowan did not rule out reimposing restrictions if more infections were detected in New South Wales, saying “if the notice comes that we must establish a firm border, we will.”
Queensland’s Acting Prime Minister Steven Miles said the government was not considering further border restrictions at this stage, saying the next 48 hours would be important.
New South Wales Health Minister Brad Hazzard implored the two states to avoid “preventive” action.
“My blood pressure has not gone up, my pulse has not gone up, we are just doing what we do in New South Wales: handling cases,” he told reporters Thursday.
The first two northern beach cases, a 60-year-old woman and a 70-year-old man, are close contacts with each other, but authorities have not found a source for their infections.
NSW Health is urgently conducting genomic sequencing and contact tracing to stop the damage and identify the source of infections.
The cases were identified just hours after a 45-year-old driver transporting international aircrew members to and from Sydney airport was confirmed as Covid positive.
NSW Health Director Kerry Chant told reporters Wednesday that the man from southwest Sydney worked only with members of the aircrew and was not involved in regular taxi services for the public. He also wore a mask while working.
But Hazzard said a stricter quarantine regime may be required for international aircrew members to eliminate future risk, likely placing the aircrew in total hotel quarantine until their return flight from Australia, which it usually occurs within 72 hours.
