NSW records second day of no local COVID-19 cases, but state not yet in the clear
Australia’s state of New South Wales has recorded a second day of no new local COVID-19 cases, but there are still warnings the virus is still circulating in the community. There were two new cases in hotel quarantine, and more than 16,000 people were tested. “Our testing rates are not where we would like them to be,” NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said. NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant echoed the premier’s calls for increased testing, saying the community could not fully enjoy low transmission rates unless there is certainty around underlying chains of community transmission.
“It is critical at this time in the response that we mop up any transmission chains, but also I would urge you to go about practising those COVID-safe practices,” she said.
“Do not become complacent as we indicate no cases of community-acquired infection. It is important, because if there are any remnant viruses transmitting in the community your actions, by maintaining that single distancing, wearing those masks in the settings we have asked you to, getting a COVID test, and practising good hand hygiene and following the rules around how many visitors to your home will all help us prevent chains of transmission establishing in the community.”
There has been traces of COVID-19 virus in sewage for people living in Sydney’s northwest with residents across several suburbs now being asked to be “particularly vigilant”.
It is critical at this time in the response that we mop up any transmission chains, but also I would urge you to go about practising those COVID-safe practices. Dr Kerry Chant New South Wales Chief Health Officer