'Remain vigilant': Residents in new coronavirus hotspots urged to get tested
New NSW coronavirus hotspots have emerged and people in those areas are urged to get tested irrespective of how mild their symptoms might be.
NSW recorded just one new case from the 5,258 people tested in the 24 hours to 8pm on May 10.
The state’s Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant told reporters on Monday the virus had been acquired from the UK in a returning overseas traveller. No new deaths have been reported.
She said 107 COVID-19 cases were being treated by NSW Health and seven people in the state were on ventilators in intensive care.
Dr Chant also revealed they were focusing on testing people in Canada Bay and Canterbury-Bankstown – both in Sydney’s Inner West – and the Cumberland local government areas in western Sydney, which includes suburbs like Auburn, Merrylands and Guildford.
“I would urge anyone in those areas to come forward for testing, irrespective of how mild their respiratory symptoms are,” she said.
“They might have a bit of unexplained chills or fever, they could have mild scratchy, itchy, sore throat, a bit of a cough – any respiratory symptoms at all please come forward for testing.”
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian also called on people to get tested, especially on the weekends as numbers drop.
“We need to remain vigilant and come forward and get tested,” she told reporters.
“As the months and weeks get colder ... please don’t assume it’s the flu, assume it’s coronavirus.”
Lockdown restrictions to be eased in NSW
Her comments come as experts warn Australians about lifting lockdown restrictions too early as heading into winter it could trigger a soaring second wave of cases.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Friday a three-step plan that would get Australia as close as possible back to normal, indicating it is up to each state to decide what relaxations they’ll implement and when.
Students will return for one day of face-to-face learning per week from Monday, with attendance to increase over the course of the term.
The premier said year 12 students will be back in public schools on average three days a week, with some year 12 students going back full time this week.
“We expect to have full-time teaching by the end of May in many if not majority of schools,” she said.
Coming into effect on Friday, NSW residents will be allowed to leave their homes for recreation, with up to five people allowed to visit a home. Outdoor gatherings of 10 people will also be allowed, such as a physical training session or sitting down in a park.
Restaurants and cafes will also be allowed to have up to 10 patrons at a time, while ensuring they maintain social distancing of 1.5 metres between people and four square metres space per person.
A total of 10 guests can attend a wedding, and up to 20 people at indoor funerals and 30 at outdoor funerals.
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Holidays in NSW however are still banned.
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the easing of restrictions would "give a degree of normality back", but warned that this "could be quickly lost if ... our community does not adhere to the message of the importance of continued social distancing".
Why NSW won’t ease restrictions until Friday
Ms Berejiklian explained why she is waiting until Friday to ease restrictions after about 30 people were arrested in Sydney’s CBD on Sunday protesting coronavirus rules.
A 36-year-old woman was among those arrested while she had her son with her. The protesters were part of the ‘Exercising my Rights’ group.
“The more activity there is. the more likelihood there is of a spike in cases,” Ms Berejiklian said on Monday.
“The second we let our guard down the cases will go up again and then governments will have to look at other options and we don’t want to be in that position.
“We rely on the advice of experts and consult with relevant people before we embark on our path forward.”
She added she was “extremely worried” about people being complacent.
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