Passengers are escorted by police officers after being processed following their arrival at Perth Airport from Sydney. Photo / Getty Images
Passengers are escorted by police officers after being processed following their arrival at Perth Airport from Sydney. Photo / Getty Images
There have been five new cases of coronavirus diagnosed in NSW after health authorities issued warnings for two suburbs.
There have been two new cases of locally acquired coronavirus diagnosed in NSW up to 8pm yesterday and three new cases in hotel quarantine.
Both locally acquired cases today
have beenlinked to known cases or clusters, with one a household contact of a previously confirmed case linked to the Liverpool private clinic cluster, bringing the clinic's cases to 12.
A NSW Health spokesman said while investigations into the source of the mystery case were ongoing, no specific venues of concern had been identified.
"It is believed this case visited the Kingsford and Ramsgate areas while potentially infectious in the first two weeks of October, including several cafes for short periods of time while ordering takeaway," he said.
"Anyone who has visited these suburbs, especially cafes, should monitor for symptoms and immediately isolate and get tested should even the mildest of symptoms appear. After testing, you must remain in isolation until a negative result is received."
Deputy chief health officer Dr Jeremy McAnulty said current testing levels were too low, which was putting the state at risk.
"New South Wales is at a critical point and the only way to find undiagnosed cases and prevent further transmission is to increase testing," he said.
While the response at Oran Park testing clinics was "brilliant" after a plea from authorities, residents in surrounding suburbs have been less forthcoming to be tested.
"NSW Health continues to appeal to the community in southwestern Sydney to come forward for testing right away if anyone has even the mildest of symptoms like a runny nose or scratchy throat, cough, fever or other symptoms that could be Covid-19," McAnulty said.
"This is also particularly important in western Sydney and southeastern Sydney, where there have also been locally transmitted cases recently."
In the 24-hour period up to 8pm yesterday, only 7401 tests were performed.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian has previously said 20,000 tests per day was the optimal amount to ensure cases were not likely to go undetected.
