Advertisement

Coronavirus NSW: Woolworths shoppers warned as 19 new cases emerge

Shoppers at a Woolworths store are being warned to get tested as NSW confirmed 19 new coronavirus cases on Thursday.

Two children in the Port Stephens area, both linked to the Thai Rock restaurant cluster, in Sydney’s western suburb of Wetherill Park, are among the new infections announced on Thursday.

One of the children attended Tomaree Public School and the school was closed as contact tracing and cleaning gets underway. The second child, a one-year-old, went to Goodstart Early Learning Anna Bay and the childcare centre was closed for the same reasons.

A coronavirus warning has been issued to shoppers who went to a Woolworths at Salamander Bay Village Woolworths. Pictured is a stock image of the supermarket in Sydney.
Shoppers who went to a Woolworths in the NSW Hunter Region have been warned to look out for coronavirus symptoms. Pictured is a stock image of the supermarket. Source: Reuters/Loren Elliott

NSW Health authorities are urging anyone who visited Woolworths at Salamander Bay Village on these dates to watch for symptoms and get tested if any respiratory symptoms or fever appear:

  • July 17 between 2.30pm to closing time;

  • July 18 between 4pm and closing time;

  • July 19 between 12.45pm to closing time; and

  • July 20 between 3pm and closing time.

The supermarket, in the Hunter region, has been cleaned overnight with extra attention to touch points.

Anyone who attended the Fingal Bay Café and Takeaway on July 17 between 11.30am and midday has also been asked to get tested.

“The cafe has also been thoroughly cleaned and there is no ongoing risk to the community at this venue,” the state’s Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said.

A new three lane drive through clinic will open at Tomaree Sports Complex at 20 Aquatic Cl, Nelson Bay, on Thursday afternoon, and will then operate from 8am to 4pm, seven days a week.

But hours will be extended as required to meet demand.

More coronavirus cases linked to NSW clusters

Of the 19 new cases, three people have been linked to the Crossroads Hotel cluster, in Sydney’s southwest suburb of Casula, which brings the number of infections associated with the pub to 56.

Nine new cases confirmed on Thursday brings the Thai Rock cluster to 46 cases.

Three cases are still under investigation, one southwestern Sydney resident who acquired the virus in Victoria is now self-isolating and three are returned travellers in hotel quarantine.

In the past 24 hours, 24,640 coronavirus tests have been carried out compared to 18,465 in the previous period.

“Over the past week we have seen record numbers of people being tested, with over 27,000 on one day, which is more than a 50 per cent increase on the previous week,” NSW Health said in a statement.

Dr Chant said “while most cases have been linked to known clusters, community transmission continues”.

“NSW Health is calling on people across the state to redouble their efforts to stop the virus spreading,” she said.

“It is critical at this time that anyone who is feeling unwell, with even the mildest of symptoms such as a runny nose or scratchy throat, seeks testing and self-isolates until they get the results.

“It is important that also if you have been directed by public health officials to remain isolated despite testing for the full 14 days that you also comply with those instructions.”

Meanwhile in neighbouring Victoria, Premier Daniel Andrews confirmed 403 new coronavirus cases and five more deaths.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.