NSW Health today advises a security guard who worked at a hotel while it was operating for people in quarantine flying in from overseas, has been diagnosed with COVID-19.
Investigations are continuing however, at this point there is no indication of additional risk to the community from the hotel. NSW Health advises the guard was not infectious when he worked there.
The guard is a previously announced case reported on 17 August.
The guard worked at the Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel on 3 August, 4 August, 7 August and 8 August, when he could have acquired the infection, and was diagnosed late on 15 August.
He developed symptoms on 11 August.
NSW Health urgently tested the guard's virus sample using whole genome sequencing to see if it matched any virus strains in the community or from cases who had been hotel guests.
The results of the sequence testing received show the security guard appears to have a strain of the COVID-19 virus similar to one identified in a guest staying at the hotel from 31 July to 5 August.
The strain is different to other strains circulating in NSW. This indicates that the guard likely acquired the infection while at the hotel. Exactly how the infection was acquired is under investigation.
The people who may have been close contact with the guard while infectious have already been contacted and placed in isolation.
He was infectious at the following times locations and alerts have already been issued urging people at these venues on these dates to get tested:
- Sydney Market Flemington on Sunday, 9 August between 8am and 4 pm.
- Parramatta Local Court on Tuesday, 11 August and Wednesday, 12 August between 8.30am and 12.30pm.
NSW Health is working closely with both cases, the Police, the security company, hotel staff and other staff to investigate how the infection may have been acquired.
A full list of COVID-19 testing clinics is available, and people can also contact their GP.
Please note - today, Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant advised the guard worked at Bankstown Central but this is incorrect. A previous case, not this case, attended the Bankstown Central Shopping Centre on Saturday, 8 August between 10am and 3pm. Anyone who attended this venue 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.
