Sydney nurse tests positive to COVID-19 as NSW records three new cases

NSW has recorded just two new locally acquired cases of coronavirus as its war of words with the Queensland government continues.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian. Source: AAP

NSW has recorded just two new locally acquired cases of COVID-19, including a nurse who tested positive after working at St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney while infectious.

The casual nurse worked a single evening shift on Wednesday while infectious, NSW Health said.

"The nurse provided specialised care to a single patient, and had limited contact with a very small number of colleagues," it said in a statement on Saturday after issuing a public alert about the case overnight.
NSW Health's Dr Michael Douglas said the nurse is believed to have acquired coronavirus outside hospital and the second local case was linked to the nurse.

In the reporting period to 8pm on Friday, there was also one overseas-acquired case - a crew member who arrived in the Port of Newcastle from Brisbane on a ship with international mariners aboard.

"This case is receiving medical care at John Hunter Hospital," Dr Douglas said.

"All other crew members are considered close contacts and remain on board for quarantine and monitoring.

"It is important to note this case presents no COVID-19 risk to the people of Newcastle."
NSW Health also said confirmed cases of COVID-19 have attended venues in Western and South Western Sydney and travelled on a number of Sydney trains.

Anyone who attended the Squeeze & Grind coffee shop Argyle Street, Camden on 7 October between 11.45am and 1.15pm is considered a casual contact and must monitor for symptoms.

Anyone who visited Narellan Town Centre, on Camden Valley Way in Narellan, on 8 October between 12.30pm and 2pm is also a casual contact.

Passengers on the following trains are also considered casual contacts and must monitor for symptoms and get tested immediately if they develop:

• Train from Eastwood at 8.15am arriving Parramatta 8.49 on 6 October

• Train from Parramatta at 4.50pm arriving Eastwood 5.21pm on 6 October

• Train from Eastwood at 8.14am arriving Parramatta 8.49am on 7 October

• Train from Eastwood at 12.18pm arriving Kings Cross 1.07pm on 7 October

• Train from Parramatta at 4.31pm arriving Central 5.02pm on 7 October

• Train from Central at 6.05pm arriving Eastwood 6.36pm on 7 October

• Train from Kings Cross at 9.35pm arriving Eastwood 10.34pm on 7 October

After testing, they must remain in isolation until a negative test result is received:

State tensions over border closure

Meanwhile, the verbal joust between state governments over the NSW-Queensland border closure continues.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Health Minister Brad Hazzard have criticised Queensland's 28-day "border clock" to trigger free passage between the states.

On Saturday, Queensland Health Minister Steven Miles defended his government's policy.

"I note that yesterday the premier of NSW expressed disappointment in my remarks, that they had given up on the effort of achieving 28 days of unlinked community transmission," he told reporters.

"Frankly, when she said she thought that was unattainable, when she said she thought that was impossible, I took that to mean that they were not aiming for it."

Although the number of tests undertaken in NSW increased to 15,439 in the latest 24-hour reporting period, from 12,868 in the previous 24 hours, NSW Health is concerned about the recent drop in testing.

It repeated its call for people to be tested if they have mildest of symptoms like a runny nose or scratchy throat, cough, fever or other symptoms that could be COVID-19.
NSW Health is treating 56 cases, including one in intensive care who does not require ventilation.

Eighty-four per cent of cases being treated by NSW Health are in non-acute, out-of-hospital care.

The latest cases take NSW's total to 4084 and the death toll remains at 55.

People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your jurisdiction's restrictions on gathering limits.

If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080. News and information is available in 63 languages at 

Please check the relevant guidelines for your state or territory: 


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Published 10 October 2020 12:44pm
Updated 10 October 2020 8:57pm
Source: AAP



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