'Critical point': Urgent virus warning for two Sydney suburbs on high alert
Two Sydney suburbs are the subject of an urgent testing plea from health authorities as NSW looks to stamp out the ongoing transmission of coronavirus.
Anyone who visited Kingsford in the city’s southeast and Ramsgate in southern Sydney are urged to watch for the mildest of symptoms and come forward.
It comes after a person testing positive on October 15 visited several cafes in the areas, however NSW Health says there is no known risk to a specific venue.
Anyone who has visited those suburbs and develops symptoms is to get tested and isolate until they receive a negative result.
While NSW recorded its first day of no locally acquired cases in 12 days on Monday, NSW Health has warned the state is at a “critical point” in its fight against COVID-19.
Health authorities are increasingly concerned with low levels of testing as the state eases further restrictions.
“The only way to find new cases and prevent further transmission is to increase testing,” NSW Health said in a release on Monday night.
“This is particularly important in south eastern, south western, and western Sydney as well as in south western Sydney and western Sydney where there have been recent locally transmitted cases.”
Mid-week daily tests in August routinely surpassed 20,000, a number Health Minister Brad Hazzard has said is needed now to defeat the virus.
However, at the beginning of October daily tests dropped to their lowest in months and while a plea last week amid a spike in cases saw an increase in tests, NSW Health are desperate for more people to come forward. On Sunday less than 7000 people were tested.
NSW has recorded 50 locally acquired cases since it ended its streak of 12 days without known community transmission, with Premier Gladys Berejiklian previously warning the state was “on the verge” of a substantial outbreak.
The NSW government nevertheless announced on Monday the easing of several COVID-19 restrictions, including from Friday increasing the limit on outdoor gatherings from 20 to 30.
Group bookings at hospitality venues such as restaurants can also number 30 people.
The permissible number of guests at weddings from December 1 will also be lifted to 300 people, provided they are seated and only the bridal party dances.
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