NSW latest Covid-19 update as at 29 January

NSW recorded no new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.

There were three cases acquired overseas, bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic to 4,910.

There were 11,897 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with the previous day's total of 7,809.

Testing numbers remain low, which is a concern given that high rates of testing are an important tool in tracking the spread of the virus. With restrictions easing across Greater Sydney from today, it is crucial that people maintain their vigilance.

While NSW has now seen 12 days without a known locally acquired case of COVID-19, the virus may still be circulating in the community among people with mild or no symptoms. We have previously seen successive days of no local cases, only to see cases re-emerge.

NSW Health continues to urge people to come forward for testing if they have any symptoms that could signal COVID-19 - including a runny nose or scratchy throat, cough, or fever - as this is the best way to detect and stop any possible spread of the virus.

Every person who comes forward for testing is playing an important role in helping to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Following further investigations and advice, NSW Health has contacted people who stayed in the Auckland Pullman between 9 and 13 January 2021 and recently arrived in NSW from New Zealand.

They have been advised to immediately get tested and isolate until they receive a negative result.

NSW Health has been notified of further exposure dates at the Auckland Pullman and is contacting people who were at the hotel up until 24 January, and instructing them to also be tested and isolate until further advice is received from NSW Health.

NSW Health has also been advised that another two people who had been in the Pullman tested positive and had likely been in the community in NZ while infectious.

In the light of these further exposures, the Federal Government has notified the NSW Government that quarantine-free travel from NZ to Australia be paused for at least a further 72 hours, until 2pm on Sunday 31 January.

All people currently arriving in NSW from NZ are being directed to hotel quarantine.

NSW Health's sewage surveillance program has detected fragments of the virus that causes COVID-19 in the sewage network at Minto and Liverpool.

The Minto catchment takes in about 101,000 people and includes the suburbs of Kentlyn, Ingleburn, Minto Heights, Menangle Park, Gilead, Currans Hill, Woodbine, Campbelltown, Leumeah, Bradbury, Gregory Hills, Raby, St Andrews, Bow Bowing, Minto, Ruse, Airds, Glen Alpine, Blair Athol, Ambarvale, Englorie Park, St Helens Park, Rosemeadow.

The Liverpool treatment plant takes in a catchment of approximately 180,000 people from the suburbs of Bardia, Hinchinbrook, Hoxton Park, Abbotsbury, Ingleburn, Prestons, Holsworthy, Edmondson Park, Austral, Cecil Park, Cecil Hills, Elizabeth Hills, Bonnyrigg Heights, Edensor Park, Green Valley, Pleasure Point, Casula, Hammondville, Liverpool, Moorebank, Wattle Grove, Miller, Cartwright, Lurnea, Warwick Farm, Chipping Norton, Voyager Point, Macquarie Links, Glenfield, Catherine Field, Gledswood Hills, Varroville, Leppington, West Hoxton, Horningsea Park, Middleton Grange, Len Waters Estate, Carnes Hill, and Denham Court.

Virus fragments were also recently detected at Warriewood, which serves about 70,000 people in the Northern Beaches.

While these detections may reflect known recent confirmed cases in these areas, NSW Health urges everyone living or working in these areas to monitor for symptoms and get tested and isolate immediately if they appear.

There are more than 350 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW, many of which are open seven days a week. To find your nearest clinic visit COVID-19 clinics or contact your GP.

NSW Health is treating 59 COVID-19 cases, none of whom are in intensive care. Most cases (97 per cent) are being treated in non-acute, out-of-hospital care, including returned travellers in the Special Health Accommodation.

Likely source of confirmed COVID-19 cases in NSW

Note: Case counts reported for a particular day may vary over time due to ongoing investigations and case review.

*notified from 8pm 27 January 2021 to 8pm 28 January 2021

**from 8pm 22 January 2021 to 8pm 28 January 2021

Returned travellers in hotel quarantine to date

* Testing previously carried out on day 10 is now carried out on day 12.