NSW latest coronavirus data as at 18 August

Seven new cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed in the 24 hours to 8pm last night, bringing the total number of cases in NSW to 3,768. There have been no new deaths, with the total number remaining at 54.

There were 13,736 tests reported in the 24-hour reporting period, compared with 10,806 in the previous 24 hours.

Of the three new cases reported to 8.00pm last night:

• Two from South Western Sydney are locally acquired
• One is a returned traveller in hotel quarantine

One locally acquired case is a close contact of a previously reported case linked to the funeral gatherings cluster, bringing the total cases associated with this cluster to 73.

The source of infection for the other locally acquired case is under investigation, and contact tracing is under way.

Even though daily case numbers are low, there have been 16 cases in the last 4 weeks whose source is not identified or linked to clusters, mainly in Western and South Western Sydney, indicating that COVID-19 is continuing to circulate in the community, undetected.

So, if you have any cold or flu like symptoms at all, assume its COVID-19 until proven otherwise - isolate and get tested right away; don't delay.

It is vital to maintain high rates of testing at this critical time, in order to find the source of these cases still under investigation. NSW Health is urging anyone with even the mildest of symptoms - including runny nose, sore throat, cough, or loss of taste and smell - to come forward for testing as the best way to protect their family, friends and wider community.

Testing is particularly important in South Western Sydney, Western Sydney and Sydney east (Sydney, Surry Hills, Darlinghurst, Woolloomooloo, Potts Point, Rushcutters Bay, Elizabeth Bay and Centennial Park) which have been identified as areas for increased testing and surveillance.

Previous cases have attended the below venues. Anyone who attended these venues at the following dates and times are considered to be casual contacts, and should monitor for symptoms and immediately get tested and isolate if symptoms occur, however mild:

• Bankstown Central Shopping Centre on Saturday, 8 August between 10am and 3pm.
• Sydney Market Flemington on Sunday, 9 August between 8am and 4 pm.

There are currently 122 COVID-19 cases being treated by NSW Health. There are seven COVID 19 patients in intensive care and five are ventilated. Eighty-nine per cent of cases being treated by NSW Health are in non-acute, out-of-hospital care.

To help stop the spread of COVID-19:

• If you are unwell, stay in, get tested and isolate.
• 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 in situations where you cannot physically distance.

A full list of COVID-19 testing clinics is available or people can visit their GP.

Anyone directed to undertake a 14-day self-isolation period must stay in isolation for the full 14 days, even if they test negative during this time. Early testing may not detect an infection, and release from self-isolation based on a negative test could allow an infectious person to infect others in the community. People who are infected and develop symptoms will generally do so within 14 days of exposure.

Confirmed cases to date

Counts reported for a particular day may vary over time with ongoing enhanced surveillance activities.

Returned travellers in hotel quarantine to date