/NSW records 97 new COVID-19 cases, 46 infectious in community – ABC News

NSW records 97 new COVID-19 cases, 46 infectious in community – ABC News

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has hinted tougher lockdown measures are likely after the state recorded 97 new locally acquired COVID-19 cases.

Key points:

Ms Berejiklian warned the number of cases would likely be higher tomorrow and flagged tougher restrictions may be needed to combat the outbreak.

“There is no doubt that the numbers are not where we would like them,” she said.

Ms Berejiklian said authorities were reviewing health data “on an hourly basis” to ensure the lockdown settings were right.

“If we need to go harder, of course we will.”

She said her government would “not hesitate to take any decision we need to, to make sure those numbers go down”.

The Premier’s concession comes as Sydney’s current outbreak surpassed 1,000 cases.

Up to 51 of the new cases could have been infectious while in the community.

Of the 97 new infections, 29 were out in the community for the entire time they were infectious, while another 17 were isolating for only part of their infectious period.

The isolation status of five more cases is under review.

Woman wearing mask crosses empty street.

ABC News: John Gunn

NSW chief health officer Kerry Chant said the fact that so many were still going about their normal business was “incredibly concerning”.

“I can’t stress to the community my absolute concern that we need to work harder at reducing mobility and reduce our interactions with others if we are to bring the situation under control,” Dr Chant said. 

Also concerning to health authorities is the fact the source of 34 of the new cases is unknown.

“We have a number of cases under investigation and seeing the emergence of unlinked cases which is a matter for concern,” Dr Chant said.

Two women wearing protective gowns and face masks check a clipboard while a man walks past in the background.

ABC: Tim Swanston 

Greater Sydney, the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour remain under lockdown until midnight July 30.

Ms Berejiklian said the length of the lockdown would depend on the community’s ability to stay at home and its response to testing.

“We don’t want this to drag on and we know the community wants us to do more, so long as that means the lockdown is not extended for a longer period and that is our focus,” she said.

“It has been a difficult situation and I shudder to think what would have happened had we not gone into lockdown when we did, given the cases and how transmissible the virus is.” 

Click here for NSW COVID-19 health advice in: 

There were 77,500 tests carried out yesterday, a new record for daily testing in NSW.

Dr Chant said that was in large part due to the community in Fairfield coming out for testing.

She said it was important for anyone in the Fairfield LGA who had symptoms or was a close or casual contact of a confirmed case to get tested immediately.

But Dr Chant warned there was no room for complacency in other parts of Sydney.

Bayside, Campbelltown, Camden, Lakemba, Fairfield, Liverpool, Cumberland, Mount Druitt, Rooty Hill, Sutherland Shire, and Georges River have been listed as areas of concern.

“We are seeing [cases] pop up in other local health districts and other local areas and there is a lag in the data,” she said.

“So absolutely you have to be vigilant no matter where you are across New South Wales in general and in Sydney specifically.”

Chairs stacked up outside a restaurant, Sydney Harbour Bridge in the background

ABC News: John Gunn

Health officials have expressed concern that the virus is now seeding in workplaces and that a number of cases detected among workers at Hanson Concrete in Greenacre may have spread to family members and household contacts.

Dr Chant said anyone who worked at the company between July 1 and 14, or who received a delivery from it, should immediately isolate and get tested, along with their household contacts. 

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the government would do all it could to support cleaning staff at Westmead Hospital, after they refused to enter the COVID-19 ward due to insufficient personal protective equipment.

“What is happening is there is some difference of opinion, but I’ve indicated to the team last night that I’d like us to be generous and reasonable and understanding of our health workers and are on the side of being supportive,” he said.

Over the past 24 hours, police have issued 164 infringement notices and more than 200 warnings for breaches of NSW’s public health orders. 

NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys said patrols had stopped several people travelling out of Greater Sydney “trying to disguise that as some sort of business trip when it is really a holiday”.

He said police were patrolling roads, buses and trains out of Sydney and those caught breaking the rules would be turned around.

There have now been a total of 466 new cases of COVID-19  in NSW this week.

The highest number of daily cases was on Monday when 112 tested positive.

There are 75 people with COVID-19 being treated in hospital, including 18 in intensive care. Five of them are on ventilators.

Of those in hospital, 30 are under the age of 55.