Authorities monitor virus ‘hotspot’ at world-famous Bondi Beach in Sydney
Sydney: Backpackers have been blamed for transforming Australia’s world famous Bondi Beach into a COVID-19 ‘hotspot’, with travellers unwilling or unable to properly socially isolate leading to a high concentration of cases in the area. On Wednesday a temporary COVID-19 testing station was established at the iconic Bondi Beach pavilion, just metres from the sand -- with doctors in the area told to ramp up testing of those with symptoms, regardless of their travel history.
“We know that there has been an outbreak amongst backpackers in Bondi,” New South Wales (NSW) Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said.
While authorities appeared to have controlled the backpacker outbreak, she wanted to increase testing in the area to mitigate a spread to the broader community.
“We do know there is a potential risk that other members of the community may have come in contact with infected backpackers. For prudency, we want to increase testing.”
The state of NSW, which contains Bondi, recorded its 9th virusrelated death on Wednesday -- that of a 95-year old woman -- taking the national death toll to 20, on top of 4500 confirmed cases nationally. Last week Bondi Beach was closed after hundreds of people ignored social distancing directives from state and federal leaders, crowding the beach and drawing harsh criticism from many observers.
Ms Chant said that it is possible that travellers failing to socially isolate had already spread the disease, making it important for local doctors to be hyper-vigilant and for anyone with symptoms to be tested.