NSW records nine new coronavirus infections, more cases at Concord Hospital

The NSW Health Minister says Sydney hospitals are “among the safest places in the world” despite two more healthcare workers testing positive for COVID-19.

NSW health officials today recorded nine new coronavirus infections.

Three of the new cases — two healthcare workers and a visitor — were linked to Concord Hospital, in Sydney’s inner west.

There are now seven cases linked to Concord Hospital and Liverpool Hospital in south-west of Sydney

Health authorities said it was still investigating the source of the infections at both locations.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the latest cases shouldn’t discourage people from visiting the hospitals.

“The fact that we have had a very small number of health staff who have also fallen victim to COVID is not unexpected,” he said.

Mr Hazzard said approximately 100 staff had been asked to isolate for 14 days.

He said the hospital system could cope with the loss for two weeks.

“The NSW Health system is the 10th biggest business in the country, there’s 140,000 staff,” he said.

“Yes, we certainly do have enough staff to make sure the positions are filled.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said contact tracing teams from Melbourne and Federal Government agencies would be joining efforts in Sydney.

Yesterday’s cases included a student at Kincoppal Rose Bay School of the Sacred Heart, in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, which was linked to the CBD cluster.

NSW Health’s Jeremy McAnulty said the student was a boarder.

“All boarders and staff in the boarding area have been identified as close contacts,” he said.

“Boarding operations at the school have been suspended, and students are isolating at home with their families.”

Dr McAnulty said another case was a household contact of a previously reported case linked to the CBD cluster, which now stands at 66.

The remaining three were returned travellers from hotel quarantine.

Health authorities also added a number of Sydney businesses, including cafes and a gym to its health alerts.

Anyone who attended Plus Fitness in Epping on September 5, between 9:00am — 10:15am is considered a close contact and should immediately present themselves for testing and isolate for 14 days.

Meanwhile, anybody who attended the following venues is considered a casual contact and should monitored for symptoms.

• Charles St Kitchen in Putney on September 5, between 10:45am – 11:30am
• Eastwood Ryde Netball Association in West Ryde on September 5, between 12:15pm – 1:30pm
• Missing Spoon Cafe in Wahroonga on 5 September between 4:45pm – 5:30pm
• Croydon Park Pharmacy on 3 September between 1:00pm – 2:00pm

There were 12,494 COVID-19 tests reported yesterday, compared to 10,129 from the day before. Source : abc