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NSW has reported one new case of locally transmitted COVID-19, linked to a known source, in the 24 hours to 8pm last night. Seven cases were also reported in overseas travellers in hotel quarantine, bringing the total number of cases in NSW to 4,217. It has been 14 days since a locally acquired case with no known source was identified.

There were 14,382 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with 6,438 in the previous 24 hours. To fight the pandemic, anyone with a cold must do something they wouldn’t normally do and get a COVID test the day they get symptoms. Anyone with even the mildest of symptoms like a runny nose or scratchy throat, cough, fever or other symptoms that could signal COVID-19 must get a test. This is vital to ensuring NSW continues to detect cases as soon as possible and prevent onward transmission. Of the eight new cases to 8pm last night:

• ​Seven were acquired overseas and are now in hotel quarantine.
• One was locally acquired and linked to a known case.

The one new locally acquired case is a household contact of a previously reported case linked to the Lakemba GP cluster. They have been in isolation. There are now 17 cases linked to this cluster. NSW Health is treating 77 COVID-19 cases, with one patient in intensive care, who does not require ventilation. Ninety-one per cent of cases being treated by NSW Health are in non-acute, out-of-hospital care. COVID-19 virus fragments were identified in sewage at treatment plants in Glenfield yesterday and Quakers Hill today, prompting renewed calls for residents in these areas to get tested. The virus fragments were detected through the state’s ongoing sewage surveillance program. Detection of the virus in sewage samples could reflect the presence of known cases of COVID-19 diagnosed in recent weeks in the areas served by these sewage treatment plants. However, NSW Health is concerned there could be other active cases in the local communities in people who have not been tested and who might incorrectly assume their symptoms are just a cold. People in Sydney’s west, south west and north west must be aware of any symptoms of illness, and immediately isolate and get tested should even the mildest of symptoms appear that might appear to be just be a cold. After testing, you must remain in isolation until a negative result is received. To help stop the spread of COVID-19:

• If you are unwell, get tested and isolate right away – don’t delay.
• Wash your hands regularly. Take hand sanitiser with you when you go out.
• Keep your distance. Leave 1.5 metres between yourself and others.
• Wear a mask when using public transport, rideshares and taxis, and in shops, places of worship and other places where you can’t physically distance. When taking taxis or rideshares, commuters should also sit in the back.

There are more than 300 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW. To find your nearest clinic visit or contact your GP.

Likely source of confirmed COVID-19 cases in NSW:

Note: Case counts reported for a particular day may vary over time due to ongoing investigations and case review. *notified since 8pm on 26 October 2020 to 8pm 27 October 2020

*from 8pm 21 October 2020 to 8pm 27 October 2020

Returned travellers in hotel quarantine to date

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