NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant says the state must record 14 days of high testing rates, echoing the Premier’s statement that the current task is to “mop up” community transmission in Sydney.
Dr Chant gave some further details about the three cases identified today, they were:
- A man from the southern part of the northern beaches who was a close contact of the Avalon cluster. That cluster now numbers 150.
- A woman and a man in their 30s who were close contacts of the Berala cluster. That cluster now number 23.
The Chief Health Officer said she was also pleased to see NSW record tests in excess of 23,000 on a weekend, calling for a fortnight of high testing numbers.
“I would like to see them sustained beyond that, but for the next 14 days it is critical that we mop up any unrecognised chains of transmission,” she said, adding that people should not neglect social distancing, wearing their mask and getting tested with the mildest of symptoms.
“We also asking people to be cautious about large gatherings and household events – hence the restrictions around the numbers of visitors that are permitted to houses each day. These settings all prevent a major superspreading event.”
