SYDNEY, Jan 4 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Australia’s biggest city, Sydney, officially recorded zero locally acquired cases of COVID-19 today, for the first time since Dec 15.
Despite the promising figure, health officials remained on edge over a cluster developing in Sydney’s suburbs.
Officials noted that overnight, two cases were linked to the cluster at a liquor store, in the suburb of Berala, although due to being recorded outside the official reporting period, the cases will be included in tomorrow’s figures.
Anyone who attended the liquor store or a nearby supermarket, during several periods between Dec 22 and Dec 31, were considered close contacts and told to get tested and isolate for 14 days.
“That is a long time since that period, but what we want to do is pick up any people that may have been transmitted, to assist us in blocking any further chains of transmission,” New South Wales Chief Health Officer, Dr Kerry Chant, said.
Being the peak festive season, thousands of people were expected to be required to self isolate, in addition to thousands more already considered close contacts, since the most recent outbreak began.
Health officials said that testing rates had dropped to an insufficient level, below 30,000 per day and urged anyone with even mild symptoms to get tested.
“We are particularly urging residents of western, south-western Sydney and Wollongong to come forward, with even the mildest of symptoms,” Chant said.
In addition, starting today, mandatory face masks were introduced for Sydneysiders in public indoor spaces, and on public transport, for the first time since the pandemic began.
Meanwhile the state of Victoria recorded three locally acquired cases, linked to a cluster, which was said to have originated in Sydney.
Acting Victorian Premier, Jacinta Allan, said that, the relatively small figure, which came on the back of high testing numbers was good news for the city.
“There is great work being done by our tracing teams, and the testing regime is out in force,” Allan said.
“Victorians are doing a great job following the rules and practising COVID-safe behaviour, which contribute to a low number of cases.”– NNN-AGENCIES
