Sydneysiders urged to avoid visits to aged care homes as state records 14 new coronavirus infections

Of the 14 new cases, eight are linked to a Sydney cluster linked to a gym in the CBD.

A woman looks out from her bedroom window at Anglicare's Newmarch House aged care home in Sydney.

A woman looks out from her bedroom window at Anglicare's Newmarch House aged care home in Sydney. Source: AAP

NSW has recorded 14 new coronavirus cases as aged care homes in Sydney and on the Central Coast are locked down to protect vulnerable residents.

There were 24,632 tests conducted in the 24-hour reporting period, compared with 30,282 in the previous 24 hours, NSW Health said on Saturday.

Of the 14 new cases to 8pm on Friday night, one is a returned traveller in hotel quarantine, 10 are linked to a known case or cluster and three are locally acquired from an unknown source.
Eight are linked to the Sydney CBD cluster, bringing the total number of cases in that hotspot to 23.

NSW Health is investigating whether it originated in the City Tattersalls Club gym and spread to workplaces in the city and households across Sydney and the Central Coast.

Two of the latest recorded infections are household contacts of previously reported cases, three attended the City Tattersalls Club and three were close contacts of people linked to this cluster.

Further investigations have found one case reported on Friday is also linked to that cluster.
To help identify earlier and possible undiagnosed cases, authorities are asking anyone who attended the club between 4 and 18 August to get tested for COVID-19 and isolate until a negative test result is received.

That CBD cluster prompted NSW Health on Friday night to advise Sydney and Central coast aged care homes be locked down with no visitors for two weeks.

"As a precaution NSW Health is extending existing visitor restrictions by strongly advising people who live or work in the Greater Sydney metropolitan area and Central Coast to refrain from visiting aged care facilities until 12
September," the alert said.

That means no visits on Father's Day on 6 September.
"There is currently no evidence of any cases in aged care residents or staff in aged care facilities in NSW. These are precautionary steps to prevent the entry of COVID-19 into this vulnerable setting," the statement said.

NSW Health is treating 67 COVID-19 cases, including six in intensive care and four who are ventilated.

People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’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.

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3 min read
Published 29 August 2020 10:58am
Updated 30 August 2020 6:59am
Source: AAP



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