Critical time in New South Whales over the next three to four weeks after health authorities confirmed 17 cases.
Key points:
- New COVID-19 infections linked to a funerals cluster, two Thai restaurants and returned overseas travellers
- The source of infection for two cases remains under investigation
- Over 22,000 tests have been done in the last 24-hour reporting period
Eight of the cases are returned overseas travellers in hotel quarantine, and four are linked to a funerals cluster in Sydney’s south-west. There are three new infections linked to the Thai Rock cluster in Wetherill Park. NSW Health last night confirmed two cases at the Thai Rock restaurant in Potts Point. The two restaurants are under the same management. One of the new infections remains under investigation. Chief health officer, Kerry Chant, urged people across the state to redouble their efforts to stop the spread of the virus by getting tested and avoiding non-essential travel and large gatherings. She said while most cases have been linked to known clusters, community transmission continues. “This is a critical time over the next three to four weeks and if we can all play our part in changing behaviours and reducing interactions it will help us control the spread of COVID-19,” she said. “This is an anxious time. I think this is a critical time where we need the community to modify their behaviours.”
NSW Health issued a warning that anyone who attended the Thai Rock restaurant at Potts Point between Wednesday, July 15 and Saturday, July 25 needs to be immediately tested. It says they must also self-isolate for 14 days since they were last there, after a diner who visited the restaurant on Friday, July 17 tested positive last week. A restaurant staff member has now also tested positive. A couple who tested positive after the Bankstown funeral gatherings are known to have dined at two restaurants. Anyone who visited the Tan Viet Noodle House Cabramatta (AKA Crispy Chicken Noodle House) between 1:00pm and 2:00pm on Wednesday, July 22, or An Restaurant Bankstown between 9:00am and 11:00am on Thursday, July 23 should watch for symptoms and get tested if they appear. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian expressed sympathy for those attending funerals but warned that the risk of spreading the virus remained high at large gatherings. “We know that funerals are terribly emotional time for people but please, unless it’s your immediate household you cannot have physical contact — whether it’s a wedding, a funeral or whether you’re out socialising with friends,” she said. “It is so important for all of us not to let down our guard because when you let down your guard the virus can take hold and spread. “Our lives can stay at this level of freedom and economic stability and continuity if all of us continue to do the right thing which is so critical.” A student at Georges River Grammar School in Sydney’s south-west who tested positive yesterday is also linked to the funerals cluster, NSW Health says. The school has been closed for cleaning, and close contacts are being asked to self-isolate.
