Council forced to postpone Lunar New Year Festival due to health concerns
THE novel coronavirus outbreak has claimed its first victim in Auburn after Cumberland Council was forced to postpone Saturday’s Lunar New Year Festival due to public health concerns.
Describing the decision as “unfortunate”, a Council spokesperson said the “current circumstances are not ideal for celebrating in a safe and healthy way”.
“A new date for the event will be announced in the near future and be contingent on advice from public health authorities,” she said.
A NSW Health spokesperson said while four cases have been confirmed and 27 cases remain under investigation, a further 101 people have been cleared of the virus.
Of the four people who have tested positive to the virus in NSW so far, two men aged 53 and 35, and a 21-year-old woman have already been discharged from hospital. However one patient, a 43-year-old man, remains under medical care in hospital.
State Opposition Leader Jodi McKay said on Friday that as a representative of one of the most sizeable Chinese Australia communities in NSW she knows it’s a difficult time, “especially for those who have family in Wuhan or in Hubei Province”.
“I have been in regular contact with the NSW Minister for Health to ensure everyone in our community has access to the most up-to-date information, including translated material for distribution,” she said.
“We will get through this together, as one community.”
Ms McKay added that it “was not the time misinformation or for anyone to use the health emergency to discredit the Chinese Australian community”.
For information including the latest updates in community languages, visit health.nsw.gov.au.
