Righty then. Sydney is set for new restrictions following a positive COVID-case and mysterious virus fragments found in Sydney’s inner-west sewage network.
Gladys Berejiklian announced today that as of May 6 at 5:00 pm NSW will endure 3 days of COVID restrictions until Monday 10 12:00 AM. This involves wearing masks indoors and on public transport, as well as bans on singing or dancing at indoor venues (inclusive of entertainment venues and places of worship).
Think again if your weekend plans involved going to a house party as there is now a 20 person cap at homes.
Numerous clinics are extending their hours at Prince of Wales Hospital, St Vincent’s Hospital, Bondi Beach Drive-Through, Bondi Junction Laverty Pathology and Rose Bay Laverty Pathology.
Additionally, a new pop-up clinic at Albion Street Centre Laverty Pathology in Surry Hills has opened. Click here to find out your nearest testing clinic.
NSW Health Minister, Brad Hazzard encourages people in eastern Sydney (regardless of receiving one or two doses of a COVID vaccine) to present for testing if any symptoms develop.
States like Victoria are closely monitoring their current virus ‘situation’ by increasing flight spot checks and contacting people who have entered the state from April 30.
The Victorian government is requesting any residents who have attended any of the NSW exposure locations to contact authorities, get tested, isolate and quarantine for 14 days.
Despite many people assuming COVID was close to ending in Australia, it’s made yet another unwelcome and mysterious appearance in Sydney. COVID-19 has oddly emerged in two instances which currently lack any direct evidence of being linked.
The 50-year-old man and his wife who tested positive on Wednesday morning had no known associations with the virus, including working in hotel quarantine, going overseas, or having any contacts in the hospital system – which puts a spotlight on the various venues he has visited in Sydney’s east.
Close contacts of the man are currently self-isolating, while NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian has stated that she is now ‘bracing’ for more community cases to arise in Sydney’s eastern and northern areas.
NSW recorded two new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night. Nine new cases were acquired overseas to 8pm last night. pic.twitter.com/NNSY540DJH
— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) May 6, 2021
Furthermore, NSW Health revealed fragments of the COVID virus had been evident in the inner-west sewage network of Marrickville, and advised tens of thousands of residents to monitor for symptoms.
The inner-west catchment includes 42,000 residents; taking sewage from Dulwich Hill, Marrickville, Summer Hill, Lewisham, Ashfield, Haberfield, Petersham, Lilyfield and Leichhardt.
Berejiklian stated that: “If there is one case, and we don’t have an immediate source, or there’s no direct connection that we can establish, we have to assume there are other cases.”
This brings up a crucial rule of thumb that has been neglected as the pandemic has eased in Australia; checking in to venues with QR codes. Berejiklian commended the positive case victim for doing “everything right” and presenting for testing. However, this case outlines the constant threat of the pandemic, she said.
Further cause for concern has come due to the man’s high viral load, potentially making him a highly infectious victim. Berejiklian has stressed the importance of using QR codes and maintaining social distancing practices. Oh, and wash your hands, you detty pig!
Was… was he the NSW Covid guy https://t.co/1k2QFwzBZg
— Rick Morton (@SquigglyRick) May 5, 2021
NSW Health has advised anyone who has been at any of the tracing locations must be tested immediately and self-isolate, even if you have been partially or fully vaccinated.
