NSW latest Covid-19 update as at 15 March

NSW recorded one locally acquired case of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night. This was the person announced yesterday who works as a security guard at Sydney quarantine hotels.

Three new cases were acquired overseas, and one overseas case reported last week was found to be an old infection following further investigation.

This brings the total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic to 5,051.

There were 8,199 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with the previous day's total of 9,269.

While the source of the new case's infection is still under investigation, genomic sequencing results received last night show a match to the viral strain of a COVID-positive returned traveller who was in the Softitel Wentworth quarantine hotel while infectious.

The genome sequencing results indicate the strain found in the hotel quarantine guest and security guard is the more transmissible B1.1.7 variant of the virus (also known as the UK variant).

Testing continues on close contacts of the case, who remains asymptomatic. The man's household contacts have all tested negative, and will continue to self-isolate for 14 days.

Anyone who visited any of the following venues at the listed times are close contacts who should immediately be tested and isolate for 14 days regardless of the result:

Anyone who was a customer any of the following venues at the listed times is a casual contact who should monitor for symptoms, and if they appear, immediately be tested and isolate until a negative result is received. If symptoms reappear, they should be tested again.

Anyone who travelled on the following train services at the time and date indicated is a casual contact who should monitor for symptoms, and if they appear immediately get tested and isolate until a negative result is received. If symptoms reappear, get tested and isolate again.

NSW Health continues to remind anyone who has arrived from Queensland since Thursday, 11 March to check the Queensland Health website. Anyone who has been to any of the listed venues of concern must immediately self-isolate and call NSW Health on 1800 943 553 for further instructions.

Anyone who has entered NSW from Greater Brisbane (Brisbane, plus Ipswich, Logan, Moreton Bay, and Redland) since 11 March and who has not attended any of the venues of concern should be monitoring for symptoms. If symptoms occur, get tested immediately and isolate until a negative result is received.

In addition, anyone who has been in Greater Brisbane since 11 March should avoid non-essential visits to hospitals and residential aged care facilities until further notice.

The emergence of these new cases underscores the need for continued community vigilance for any signs and symptoms that could be COVID-19. It is critical that everyone continues to practise COVID-safe behaviours and that people come forward for testing if they have even the mildest of cold-like symptoms.

NSW Health is treating 47 COVID-19 cases, none of whom are in intensive care. Most cases (89 per cent) are being treated in non-acute, out-of-hospital care, including returned travellers in the Special Health Accommodation.

There are more than 350 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW, many of which are open seven days a week. To find your nearest clinic visit COVID-19 clinics 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 from 8pm 13 March 2021 to 8pm 14 March 2021

** from 8 March 2021 to 8pm 14 March 2021

Returned travellers in hotel quarantine to date

* Testing previously carried out on day 10 is now carried out on day 12.

Video of today's press conference will be uploaded to our website.