Sydney CBD COVID-19 cluster continues to grow

By ALLISON HORE

Health authorities are warning people living and working in Sydney’s CBD to avoid visiting nursing homes and to get tested for COVID-19 as the city cluster continues to grow. 

On Saturday, 14 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in NSW over a 24 hour period, eight of which are linked to the Sydney CBD cluster which now includes 23 cases. 

Of the 14 new cases, three attended the City Tattersalls Club and four were close contacts of people linked to the CBD cluster. An investigation into the Tattersalls outbreak revealed three people who caught COVID-19 in the initial outbreak attended the fitness center while still infectious. 

Following the investigation NSW Health has deemed anyone who attended the Sydney Tattersalls club on Monday the 24 August from eight am to 2pm a close contact. All close contacts must get tested immediately and isolate for 14 days and remain in isolation even if that test comes back as negative.

“As an immediate response we have made the decision to close our fitness centre and begin an immediate deep clean and sanitisation of the areas and equipment,” the club said in a notice on their website.

“Unless otherwise instructed by NSW Health, the gym will remain closed until further notice.”

Marcelo Veloz, the club’s Chief Executive Officer, said the venue had undergone testing to determine whether or not the virus was present on surfaces in the club. After undergoing testing, the club was sanitised and then more testing was carried out.

“The result of both the pre and post sanitisation have confirmed NO surface detection of SARS-CoV2a, SARS-CoV-2b- Coronavirus,” he said in a statement posted to Facebook on Sunday.

Other cases confirmed over the weekend included a corrective services nurse in the Surry Hills Cell Complex and returning traveller in hotel quarantine. Three cases remain under investigation. 

As Spring approaches there are concerns that people will forget Sydney is still in the midst of a pandemic as they get out to take advantage of the weather. In a press conference on Friday, Premier Gladys Berejiklian urged Sydney-siders to enjoy the weekend’s Spring temperatures in a “COVID-safe way”

“We appreciate that a lot of the places people normally flock to will be very busy on the weekend and the Deputy Commissioner and his team are on high alert to make sure that all authorities appreciate what could occur on the weekend if people don’t recognise the need to socially distance,” she said.

“Please enjoy the great outdoor weather, please make sure you do it in a COVID-safe way and let’s get through spring and some of the same way we have got through this winter.”

People who live in or have visited the Eastern side of the Sydney local government area are urged to get tested if they have mild COVID-19 symptoms such as a runny nose or scratchy throat. This includes the suburbs of Sydney, Surry Hills, Darlinghurst, Woolloomooloo, Potts Point, Rushcutters Bay, Elizabeth Bay and Centennial Park.

People who visited the following venues should self isolate and get tested immediately:

• Anytime Fitness, Marrickville (Monday, August 24th, 7pm to 8pm)
• City Tattersalls Club Fitness Centre, Sydney (see NSW Health website for a full list of classes and times)
• Virgin Gym, Zetland (Monday, August 24th, 7:40pm Active Dance class attendees )

People who visited the following venues are being asked to monitor themselves for symptoms and to self-isolate and get tested if symptoms occur:

• Broadway Shopping Center, Glebe (Saturday, August 22, 3:30pm to 5pm)
• Eat Fuh, Marrickville (Sunday, August 23rd, 5:20pm to 5:40pm)
• Rosebery Post Shop, Rosebery (Wednesday, August 26th, 1:30pm to 1:40pm)
• 300 George Street, Sydney (Wednesday 19th of August to Monday 24th of August)
• Virgin Active Margaret Street Gym, Sydney (Wednesday, August 26th, 5:10pm to 6:40pm)
• Virgin Active Pitt Street Gym, Sydney (Tuesday, August 25th, 5:00pm to 6:30pm)
• Virgin Gym, Zetland (Monday, August 24th, 7:30 to 10pm)