New South Wales’s COVID-19 management is back on track with the state overcoming a diagnosis hiccup.
Authorities on Saturday reported another 24-hour period without any locally-transmitted cases of coronavirus, and two diagnoses among international travellers in Sydney hotel quarantine.
It comes after a Sydney quarantine hotel cleaner was diagnosed with the virus on Thursday, prompting fears she contracted it in the community.
But the woman’s infection is likely linked to her workplace, NSW Health said.
It is believed to have come from the United States and carried to Sydney by an international crew member who was self-isolating in the hotel where the woman worked.
“The viral genome sequence from the recent COVID-19 case who works at a Sydney quarantine hotel complex does not match the virus strains seen in recent clusters in Australia,” Saturday’s statement read.
“The virus may be of US origin. The source of infection may be international aircrew who were self-isolating in the hotel at the time, however investigations are continuing.”
NSW Health confirmed the genome sequencing in a similar statement on Friday afternoon.
On Friday, Health Minister Brad Hazzard described the woman’s infection as a “twilight zone case” and was hesistant to say it was acquired within the community, despite being recorded as a local case.
“It is extremely reassuring to know there was no circulation in our community, certainly not under our normal definition of community transmission of the virus,” he said.
Airline crews from overseas stay in quarantine hotels between flights and state and federal authorities are working to try and identify the crew member, who might have since left Australia.
Testing of the woman’s contacts is continuing but there have been no further positive results so far.
Those who shared a train carriage with the woman are deemed close contacts and have also been asked to isolate for 14 days from their potential exposure. A full list of affected train services and carriages is available on the NSW Health website.
The woman’s infection sparked widespread alarm on Thursday, with fears Western Australia could withdraw its promise to open its border to NSW and Victoria from Tuesday.
WA Premier Mark McGowan said he will take the weekend to consider the situation.
Queensland authorities say its borders will remain open, after travel restrictions were lifted on Tuesday.
There are 78 active cases of the virus across NSW.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your jurisdiction’s restrictions on gathering limits.
If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
News and information is available in 63 languages at sbs.com.au/coronavirus
Please check the relevant guidelines for your state or territory: NSW, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Northern Territory, ACT, Tasmania
