NSW latest Covid-19 update as at 20 February

NSW recorded no new locally acquired and one new overseas-acquired case of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night, bringing the total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic to 4,957.

There were 16,422 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with the previous day's total of 16,970.

Cases​​Count
Confirmed cases (incl. interstate residents in NSW health care facilities) 4,957
Deaths (in NSW from confirmed cases)56
Total tests carried out4,900,506

While today marks 34 days with no reported locally acquired cases in NSW, with new cases being regularly detected among overseas arrivals, there is still a risk of COVID-19 spreading into the NSW community. It is critical that everyone continues to come forward for testing if they have even the mildest of symptoms. 

Fragments of the virus that causes COVID-19 have been detected at a sewage network site at Auburn. People who are recently recovered from COVID-19 can sometimes continue to shed virus fragments into the sewerage system for several weeks even after they are no longer infectious.

NSW Health is aware of previous recent COVID-19 cases, including in returned overseas travellers  who live in this catchment but is asking everyone in the area to be vigilant in monitoring for symptoms, and if they appear get tested and isolate immediately until they receive a negative result.

This catchment takes sewage from the suburbs of Condell Park, Bankstown, Potts Hill, Birrong, Sefton, Bass Hill, Chester Hill, Regents Park, Chullora, Homebush West, Strathfield, Rookwood, Sydney Olympic Park, Newington, Granville, Clyde, Lidcombe, Auburn, South Granville, Guildford, Silverwater, Rosehill, Berala and Yagoona.

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 https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/how-to-protect-yourself-and-others/clinics or contact your GP.

NSW Health is treating 22 COVID-19 cases, none of whom are in intensive care. Most cases (95 per cent) are being treated in non-acute, out-of-hospital care, including returned travellers in the Special Health Accommodation.

Likely source of confirmed COVID-19 cases in NSW

Likely source of infection
Cases past 24 hours*
Cases past 7 days**All cases
Overseas1102,780
Interstate0090
Locally acquired - linked to known case or cluster001,642
Locally acquired - no links to known case or cluster00445
Locally acquired - investigation ongoing000
Under initial investigation000
Total 1 10 4,957

Note: Case counts reported for a particular day may vary over time due to ongoing investigations and case review.

* notified from 8pm 18 February 2021 to 8pm 19 February 2021

**from 8pm 13 February 2021 to 8pm 19 February 2021

Returned travellers in hotel quarantine to date:

Since 29 March 2020Count
Symptomatic travellers tested 10,079
Found positive 194
Since 30 June 2020 Count
Asymptomatic travellers screened at day 2 75,848
Found positive481
From 15 May 2020 to 12 January 2021 Count
Asymptomatic travellers screened at day 1079,623
Found positive182
Since 13 January 2021 Count
Asymptomatic travellers screened at day 12*9,081
Found positive9

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

Video update

/Public Release. This material from the originating organization/author(s) might be of the point-in-time nature, and edited for clarity, style and length. Mirage.News does not take institutional positions or sides, and all views, positions, and conclusions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s).View in full here.