Coronavirus: NSW announces 17 more cases as new hotspots emerge
NSW has reported 17 new cases of coronavirus.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian told reporters on Monday the state had recorded 17 new cases with eight of those from returned travellers in hotel quarantine.
Three are related to the Thai Rock restaurant at Wetherill Park in Sydney’s west, four to St Brendan’s Catholic Church in Bankstown and two remain under investigation.
"NSW given the circumstances is holding the line and doing okay, but we are still on high alert," Ms Berejiklian said.
Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said health authorities are investigating whether the Thai Rock cluster at Wetherill and the Thai Rock cluster at Potts Point.
"These investigations are in an early phase, it's important we don't speculate,” Dr Chant said.
“But we are exploring all avenues," she said.
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There are 70 cases linked to the Wetherill Park restaurant and two linked to the Potts Point venue.
Dr Chant also encouraged anyone who’s been to Tan Viet Noodle House Cabramatta (AKA Crispy Chicken Noodle House) between 1pm and 2pm on July 22 or An Restaurant Bankstown between 9am and 11am on July 23 to watch for symptoms and get tested if symptoms appear.
This is after two people who tested positive to COVID-19 visited the restaurants.
Georges River Grammar School in Sydney’s south-west remains closed on Monday after a student tested positive to the virus.
The student has been linked back to the outbreak at St Brendan’s Catholic Church which hosted a funeral.
Ms Berejiklian encouraged people to practise social distancing at funerals.
"They've been family celebrations or condolences, whether it's weddings or funerals or hospitality or indoor events so we know what the highest risk areas are," she said.
"We know that funerals are terribly emotional time for people, please unless it's your immediate household, you cannot have physical contact whether it's a wedding or a funeral."
Queensland prepared ‘slam’ borders shut
Queensland is ready to "slam the border shut" if needed to protect residents from the growing number of COVID-19 cases in NSW and Victoria.
The Queensland government drew ire from many stakeholders when it closed the state's borders to all travellers between March and July, but Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says she's ready and willing to do it again.
"If there are outbreaks of community transmission or it cannot be sourced or there are clusters, we will not hesitate to declare hotspots or we will not hesitate - if it gets out of control - to slam the border shut," she told reporters on Monday.
It comes as more NSW residents will be blocked from entering Queensland from Monday, as the Fairfield area in Sydney is declared a hotspot.
Liverpool and Campbelltown in NSW are also declared hotspots, as is the entire state of Victoria.
Ms Palaszczuk says any decisions on further hotspots or border closures will be made on the advice of Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young.
"That advice has stood Queensland in a very good position," the premier said.
"Every single day we are monitoring the situation in NSW."
with AAP
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