NSW latest Covid-19 update as at 5 February

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

No new cases were acquired overseas, meaning the total number of COVID-19 cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic remains at 4,928.

The last time NSW reported no new locally acquired cases and no new overseas acquired cases on the same day was the 24 hours to 8pm on 25 November 2020.

There were 10,113 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with the previous day's total of 10,551.

Today is the 19th day in a row with no reported locally acquired cases in NSW, but we cannot drop our guard. High testing rates are vital in helping to contain the spread of the disease, as this gives us the best chance of finding new cases and preventing new chains of transmission from becoming established.

The state's ongoing sewage surveillance program has detected traces of the virus that causes COVID-19 at the Glenfield treatment plant, which serves more than 161,000 people in south-western Sydney.

While a small number of recovered cases live in this area, NSW Health is concerned that there may be undiagnosed, active cases. Everyone in this area is asked to be vigilant for any cold or flu-like symptoms and to get tested immediately and isolate if they appear.

Please be alert for symptoms if you live or work in the suburbs of Airds, Ambarvale, Appin, Bardia, Blair Athol, Blairmount, Bow Bowing, Bradbury, Campbelltown, Casula, Claymore, Currans Hill, Eagle Vale, Englorie Park, Eschol Park, Gilead, Glen Alpine, Glenfield, Gregory Hills, Holsworthy, Ingleburn, Kearns, Kentlyn, Leumeah, Long Point, Macquarie Fields, Macquarie Links, Menangle Park, Minto, Raby, Rosemeadow, Ruse, St Andrews, St Helens Park, Varroville and Woodbine.

Five people in NSW, who were staying at a Victorian quarantine hotel at the same time as COVID-19 transmission took place between guests in adjacent rooms, have all returned negative results.

All five of these people will continue to isolate for a full 14 days since they were at the hotel and will be tested again at the end of that period.

The new Public Health (COVID-19 Interstate Travellers) Order 2021 commenced at 12.01 am today.

The purpose of the order is to deal with the on-going risk of the introduction of COVID-19 into NSW from interstate. It enables the NSW Chief Health Officer to identify places outside NSW as 'affected areas' or 'places of high concern'.

Currently, Victoria is specified as an affected area, following the diagnosis of a positive case of COVID-19 in a hotel quarantine worker in Melbourne late on Wednesday, while venues visited by that worker are places of high concern.

NSW Health is continuing to screen passengers arriving on flights from Victoria and any person who enters NSW from Victoria by air or rail will be required to complete a passenger declaration form. Those who provide false information are subject to an on-the-spot fine.

The public exposure sites listed on the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) website have been listed as places of high concern in a COVID-19 concern notice approved by the NSW Chief Health Officer.

People who have been to these places of high concern during the relevant times will not be able to enter NSW unless they are a resident. Anyone already in, or entering NSW, who has been to one of these places of high concern is considered a close contact and should get tested immediately and isolate for 14 days since being there, regardless of the result.

You must get tested again towards the end the 14-day period (12 days after exposure) regardless of symptoms. In addition, if you develop symptoms during that period, please get tested immediately.

Anyone in NSW who has recently been in Melbourne should continue to monitor the Victorian DHHS website for additional venues of concern and updated health advice.

NSW Health is closely monitoring the situation in Victoria and will update its health advice accordingly. We will continue to work closely with our colleagues in Victoria and other jurisdictions to ensure that appropriate public health measures are in place to protect the community.

NSW Health continues to urge people to come forward for testing with even the mildest of cold-like symptoms that could signal COVID-19, such as a sore throat, cough, fever or runny nose. After testing, you must remain in isolation until a negative result is received.

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 47 COVID-19 cases, none of whom are in intensive care. Most cases (96 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 3 February 2021 to 8pm 4 February 2021

**from 8pm 29 January 2021 to 8pm 4 February 2021

Returned travellers in hotel quarantine to date

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