The Western Sydney Local Health District has released the number of tests conducted as a new testing facility opened at Smithfield on Tuesday in addition to more than 20 existing sites to provide the public convenient access to testing as two positive cases were recorded involving local health care workers.
Anyone concerned about the outbreak can visit the new site at 63 Long Street, Smithfield open from Monday to Friday and over the Christmas and New Year holidays.
Testing is free for all ages and no booking or GP referral is required. Arabic and Persian interpreters are available on site.
Anyone arriving for testing is advised to stay inside their vehicle at all times. Health staff follow strict infection control protocols for the safety of themselves and others.
WSLHD acting chief executive Emma McCahon said: “We are actively monitoring cases across Sydney and are prepared to extend operating hours at our clinics to support more people to get tested if necessary.”
In the last 24 hours, as of Wednesday, December 23, eight new cases have been detected from the Avalon cluster and two of them include a health care worker from Western Sydney and a contact of that worker that tested positive after transferring an asymptomatic family from Sydney’s international airport on December 14.
NSW Health chief medical officer Dr Kerry Chant said on Wednesday’s briefing that an investigation is ongoing and they “believe that the person acquired it since while transporting a patient and a family that came from the US.”
The main source of the infection remains under investigation and the eight cases acquired overseas are in hotel quarantine for 14 days, Dr Chant said.
Rapid testing is ongoing in the Northern Beaches with 41,865 tested conducted as of 8pm on Tuesday night.
Aside from a Blacktown gym, new venues located in Western Sydney that has been visited by close contacts of those persons that tested positive to Coronavirus are the following:
• Kings Park - Anytime Fitness Kings Park, 1/152 Sunnyholt Rd, Kings Park NSW 2148, Friday 18 December 9.30am-11.45am.
• Penrith - Penrith RSL Club, 8 Tindale Street, Penrith Sunday 13 December 1pm to 6pm.
• Stanhope Gardens -Coles Stanhope Village Shopping Centre, Stanhope Pkwy and Sentry Dr Stanhope Gardens. Saturday 19 December 7am-3.30pm and Sunday 20 December 7am-2pm.
• Auburn – Rosnay Golf Club Bistro, 5 Weymouth Avenue, Sunday 20 December 11.15am to 12.15pm.
Those who may have visited the premises are urged to attend any of the COVID-19 testing sites across Western Sydney. For further information visit: www.health.nsw.gov.au
