COVID-19 Update – Blacktown apartment block residents close contacts as NSW record 172 new cases – Tuesday, 27 July 2021

NSW recorded 172 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.

Of these locally acquired cases, 85 are linked to a known case or cluster – 66 are household contacts and 19 are close contacts – and the source of infection for 87 cases is under investigation.

61 cases were in isolation throughout their infectious period and 19 cases were in isolation for part of their infectious period. 60 cases were infectious in the community, and the isolation status of 32 cases remains under investigation.

Three new cases were acquired overseas in the 24 hours to 8pm last night. The total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic is now 7,928.

There have been 2,397 locally acquired cases reported since 16 June 2021, when the first case in the Bondi cluster was reported. One previously reported case has been excluded following further investigation.

Sadly, NSW Health was notified of two COVID-related deaths, which were announced yesterday. There have now been 10 COVID-related deaths in NSW during this current outbreak.

There are currently 169 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 46 people in intensive care, 19 of whom require ventilation. There were 84,486 COVID-19 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with the previous day’s total of 98,158.  

NSW Health administered 24,859 COVID-19 vaccines in the 24 hours to 8pm last night, including 8,031 at the vaccination centre at Sydney Olympic Park.

The total number of vaccines administered in NSW is now 3,503,140 with 1,370,506 doses administered by NSW Health and 2,132,634 administered by the GP network and other providers.

To book your COVID-19 vaccination, go to www.nsw.gov.au or visit the Australian Government’s Vaccine Eligibility Checker online.

Blacktown apartment block residents identified as close contacts

Six cases of COVID-19 have been identified in three associated households in an apartment block of 50 units in Blacktown.

Western Sydney Local Health District have worked with the residents and building management to assess the situation and, in collaboration with other agencies, are implementing measures to address infection control and the health and welfare of residents.

All residents of the building have been determined to be close contacts.

The NSW Police Force and private security are ensuring the safety of the building. Food and other services, including daily welfare checks, will be provided to residents safely during their 14-day quarantine period. Tailored support services will be provided to all isolated residents as needed.

This situation reinforces the need for everyone to wear a face mask in shared foyer or lobby areas, lifts, stairwells and corridors, and shared laundry facilities of apartment complexes. This advice applies to everyone, including residents, visitors, building managers, contractors, delivery drivers and cleaners.

Case details

Of the 172 locally acquired cases reported to 8pm last night, 65 are from South Western Sydney Local Health District (LHD), 54 are from Western Sydney LHD, 27 are from Sydney LHD, 12 are from Northern Sydney LHD, 11 are from South Eastern Sydney LHD, and there is one case from each of Nepean Blue Mountains LHD, Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD and Southern NSW LHD. The person from Southern NSW LHD was in Sydney during their entire exposure period.

Campsie Centre shopping mall is a key venue of concern. This venue was visited by confirmed cases of COVID‑19 and onwards transmission has been detected. Anyone who attended the mall on the days listed is a close contact and must immediately get tested and isolate for 14 days from this day, regardless of the result, and call 1800 943 553 unless they have already been contacted by NSW Health:

Campsie

Campsie Centre Shopping mall

14-28 Amy Street

From Wednesday 14 July to Saturday 24 July (inclusive)

Get tested

NSW Health continues to urge everyone throughout NSW, to get tested immediately if they have even the mildest of symptoms and isolate until they receive a negative result. High rates of testing are critical to detecting transmission and prevent further spread of COVID-19 in the community.

If you are directed to get tested for COVID‑19 or self-isolate at any time, you must follow the rules whether or not the venue or exposure setting is listed on the NSW Health website.

It remains vital that anyone who has any symptoms or is a close or casual contact of a person with COVID-19, isolates and is tested immediately. When testing clinics are busy, please ensure you stay in line, identify yourself to staff and tell them that you have symptoms or are a contact of a case.

Please check the NSW Government website regularly, and follow the relevant health advice if you have attended a venue of concern or travelled on a public transport route at the same time as a confirmed case of COVID-19. This list is being updated regularly as case investigations proceed.

There are 38 testing clinics in western Sydney today and more than 410 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW, many of which are open seven days a week.

To find your nearest clinic visit COVID-19 testing clinics or contact your GP.