On Sunday, a public health alert was issued for anyone who was at Auburn Centrelink between 3-4.15pm on Thursday, January 14, or who travelled on a number of T2 line train services between Warwick Farm and Auburn on January 14 or 15, to monitor for symptoms and if they appear, to immediately get tested and isolate until a negative result is received.
Grateful to those who had stepped forward for testing already, Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) public health unit director, Dr Shopna Bag, said 22,712 Covid tests were done in the Cumberland LGA in the first two weeks of January.
“However, new cases detected over the weekend indicate the virus is still active in the local community,” she said.
“Our Multicultural Health team is working with local community leaders, elders and organisations to share information and encourage people to get tested if they have symptoms.”
Also calling on residents not to go to work if they feel unwell, Cumberland Mayor Steve Christou says they know testing rates “can be much higher”.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said easing restrictions in Greater Sydney, including the limit of five visitors in homes and mandatory masks at indoor venues such supermarkets and on public transport, would depend on maintaining high test rates.
While echoing the plea for more people to get tested, NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant also urged people not to be complacent and to continue Covid-safe practices such as maintaining social distancing, limits on household visitors, wearing face masks, and practising good hand hygiene, and said it was critical to help “mop up any transmission chains”.
