NSW coronavirus infections rise by seven as Sydney hospitals cluster grows

NSW health authorities confirmed seven new coronavirus infections.(ABC News: Brendan Esposito)

NSW health authorities have recorded seven new coronavirus infections overnight, including two associated with a growing cluster linked to emergency departments at two Sydney hospitals.

Of the seven cases detected in the 24 hours to 8:00pm last night, two were returned travellers in hotel quarantine and the remaining were linked to known cases or clusters.

One of the new infections is a student who attends St Paul’s Catholic College Greystanes, in Western Sydney, and was identified as a close contact already in self-isolation.

Another two cases are linked to Concord Hospital, in Sydney’s inner west and are a staff member and a close contact of a previous case.

There are now 14 people associated with the Concord and Liverpool emergency departments who have tested positive to COVID-19, including nine health workers.

“Investigations into the source of these infections are ongoing,” NSW Health’s Jeremy McAnulty said.

Dr McAnulty said two cases also reported visiting the Eastern Suburbs Legion Club in Waverley several times whilst infectious.

NSW Health said it was working with the club to conduct contract tracing of members who attended at the same times.

It said it was also investigating whether someone who attended the site on Friday, August 28 may be the source of cases associated with the club.

Health authorities also said any persons who attended the venue at the following times is considered a close contact and should immediately get tested and self-isolate for 14 days, regardless of the result.

• Tuesday, September 1 from 6.00pm
• Friday, September 4 from 4:30pm
• Saturday, September 5 from 4.15pm
• Sunday, September 6 from 5.00pm
• Monday, September 7 from 3.00pm

There were 24,760 tests in the 24-hour period, compared with 20,852 the previous day.

Source: abc