COVID cluster grows, NSW to add 12 cases to the count

Five new cases of COVID-19 were recorded overnight, two of which were announced yesterday morning.

NSW Health has also been notified of seven new locally acquired cases, which will be included in Wednesday's numbers.

There are now 21 cases linked to the Bondi cluster. Of the five locally reported cases to 8pm last night; one was a woman in her 50s from Sydney's northern suburbs. She is a close contact of a previously reported case and has been in isolation. The other was a man in his 30s from Sydney's eastern suburbs. He is a close contact of a previously reported case and has been in isolation.

Three further cases were reported to 8pm last night and include:

NSW Health can also advise there have been seven locally acquired cases notified overnight since the 8pm deadline. Six of these are household contacts of previous cases who have been in isolation. One case is a child who attends primary school in the eastern suburbs.

NSW Health is asking anyone who was in Westfield Bondi Junction (including the car park) at any time between June 12 and 18 to get tested for COVID-19.

"Only people with symptoms and those who have been to specific exposure venues at the listed times need to test and isolate," a NSW Health statement said.

"Anyone who does not have symptoms and has not been to specific exposure venues at the listed times should get tested but does not need to isolate. However, these people are strongly urged to avoid gatherings and minimise their movements, such as not attending the cinemas or trips to the ski fields until they return a negative test. If you can work from home, please do so."

This broader surveillance testing will help NSW Health to determine the extent of potential transmission at Westfield Bondi Junction. Detecting any cases early is critical to prevent ongoing transmission.

Venues of concern are being identified as case investigations continue, and the list of venues is continuing to be updated. Please check the NSW Health website regularly.

No new overseas-acquired cases were recorded, bringing the total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic to 5,465. There were 28,645 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with the previous day's total of 25,252.

"NSW Health thanks the community for coming forward to get tested for COVID-19, with a very good response yesterday.

"High testing numbers are vital in detecting cases of COVID-19 in order to prevent further transmission."

The total number of vaccines administered in NSW is now 1,917,183, with 694,125 doses administered by NSW Health to 8pm last night and 1,223,058 administered by the GP network and other providers to 11.59pm on Sunday.

Masks are now mandatory on public transport in Greater Sydney and the Blue Mountains, and the Wollongong and Shellharbour local government areas.

In addition, masks are now mandatory in all public indoor venues in the City of Sydney, Waverley, Randwick, Canada Bay, Inner West, Bayside, and Woollahra local government areas. These venues include retail, theatres, aged care facilities and masks are also mandatory for front-of-house hospitality staff.

NSW Health continues to remind people to avoid non-essential visits to aged care and disability facilities, but if visiting, wear a mask and limit visits to two people per day.

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