COVID-19 Alert – Eighth Omicron case confirmed in NSW, more venues of concern – Thursday, 2 December 2021

NSW Health can confirm a traveller has been infected with the Omicron COVID-19 variant of concern, bringing the total number of cases to eight in NSW.

The person arrived on flight SQ231 from Singapore which arrived in Sydney on Sunday 28 November. They are fully vaccinated and had recently been in southern Africa. The person has been in hotel quarantine since arriving, as required under the NSW public health order.

NSW Health is requesting every person who was on flight SQ231 from Singapore to Sydney on 28 November to immediately get their first COVID-19 PCR test if not already completed and isolate until they receive a negative result. Under the public health order, they are also required to get a COVID-19 PCR test on day 6 (4 December 2021) after arriving in NSW.

All travellers arriving in NSW who have been in South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini and Malawi during the 14-day period before their arrival in NSW must enter hotel quarantine for 14 days, irrespective of their vaccination status.

Anyone who has already arrived in NSW who has been in any of the eight African countries within the previous 14 days must immediately get tested and isolate for 14 days, and call NSW Health on 1800 943 553.

All passengers must monitor for symptoms and if any symptoms occur, get tested again.

Any passengers arriving from overseas aged 18 years and over who are not fully vaccinated go directly into 14-day mandatory hotel quarantine.

As announced earlier, NSW Health is conducting genomic sequencing on two further travellers with COVID-19 to confirm that they are infected with the Omicron variant. They are isolating in the Special Health Accommodation.

Penalties for non-compliance with the isolation, testing and quarantine requirements have increased to $5,000 for individuals (from $1,000), and $10,000 for corporations (from $5,000).

Chatswood exposure venues grow

The public is being advised that several venues in Chatswood have been visited by a child confirmed to have the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

The child, who is too young to have been vaccinated against COVID-19, was confirmed to have the Omicron variant earlier today.

The child’s parents, who are fully vaccinated, are also COVID-positive and genomic sequencing is underway to confirm that they are also infected with the Omicron variant. They are isolating in the Special Health Accommodation.

The family arrived on flight QR908 from Doha to Sydney on 23 November 2021. NSW Health is concerned transmission may have occurred on this flight as they had not visited southern Africa.

NSW Health is requesting all passengers and flight crew on this flight to immediately get a PCR test and isolate while awaiting further health advice. NSW Health is contacting all passengers and flight crew to discuss these requirements. They can also call NSW Health on 1800 943 553 for further advice.

NSW Health is advising the public of several venues which were visited by the family in Chatswood following their arrival in Sydney.

Chatswood	Mantra Serviced Apartments	10 Brown Street	Tuesday 23 November to Wednesday 1 December All day
Chatswood	Vodafone, Level 3, Westfield Shopping Centre	1 Anderson Street	Wednesday 24 November 12.25pm to 12.40pm
Chatswood	Centrelink and Medicare	56-64 Archer Street	Wednesday 24 November 1pm to 2.30pm
Chatswood	Priceline Pharmacy, Chatswood Interchange	Shop 40, Concourse Level, Chatswood Interchange, Victoria Avenue	Wednesday 24 November 1pm to 1.10pm
Chatswood	Woolworths, Chatswood Interchange	Shop 55, Chatswood Interchange, Victoria Avenue	Wednesday 24 November 1pm to 2.30pm

Anyone who attended these venues at the times listed is a casual contact who must immediately get tested and isolate until a negative result is received. You should continue to monitor for symptoms and if any symptoms occur, get tested again.

Extended testing hours in western Sydney

Western Sydney Local Health District have extended testing hours at key clinics across western Sydney including:

Western Sydney University (North Campus) – 70 Pemberton Street Parramatta – Drive Through, All Ages, 8am-8pm (until 8pm 3 December)

Wentworthville Community Centre – 69 Veron Street Wentworthville – Walk-in, All Ages, 7am-8pm, 7 days a week

Third Avenue Blacktown – Drive Through and Walk In, All Ages, 7am-8pm, 7 days a week

There are more than 450 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW, many of which are open seven days a week. To find your nearest clinic visit COVID-19 clinics or contact your GP.