NSW reports 536 new COVID-19 cases, with hundreds of nightclub revelers ordered to self-isolate after they were ‘likely’ of the Omicron variant.
NSW Health issued an alert for The Argyle House nightclub in Newcastle late Sunday, identifying all attendees as close contacts following the transmission of COVID at the venue on the night of 8 December.
The cluster is linked to a boat party on Sydney Harbor five nights ago where at least five people caught the virus.
The number of infections linked to the Argyle House nightclub outbreak is 24, with some NSW Health said the Omicron variant is likely.
The new cases announced on Monday are higher than the 485 announced on Sunday.
The figure is slightly lower than the 560 recorded on Saturday, marking the highest daily tally recorded in NSW since 9 October, two days before the lockdown was lifted.
The number of Omicron infections in NSW is 55 and is expected to continue rising
More than 700 people at The Argyle House nightclub (pictured) in Newcastle on the night of 8 December have been ordered to be tested and to isolate for seven days.
Some 74,997 tests were recorded in the 24 hours to 8 pm on Sunday.
The double-dose vaccination rate for those 16 and older remains at 93.1 percent, while 94.8 percent of those who have had their first jab.
171 people are in hospital with the virus, of whom 24 are in intensive care.
Anyone who was in a nightclub between 9 pm on 8 December and 3 am on 9 December is in close contact and should be tested immediately and isolated for seven days, regardless of the outcome.
This rule applies to all 680 people who checked in using the QR code that night and whoever Didn’t check in.
Household contacts of anyone who attended the nightclub are also ordered to be tested immediately and isolated until close contact tests negative due to high transmission at the venue.
NSW Health said, ‘This follows recent outbreaks involving the Albion Hotel in Parramatta, Oxford Tavern in Petersham, Cult Nightclub in Potts Point and party boat cruises on Sydney Harbour.
‘NSW Health is concerned about increased transmission in large social spaces like these, and we urge people not to attend social gatherings if they have any symptoms, even if they are mild.’
Nightclub cluster stems from outbreak on December 3 Sydney party cruise (pictured)
Newcastle reported its first case of Omicron, a female traveler who had recently returned from Britain on Sunday.
The latest alert was issued hours after NSW recorded Australia’s first hospital admission of O’Micron
The state recorded 485 new cases of Covid-19 on Sunday, as the number of micron infections rose to 55. There are at least 62 around Australia.
Health officials confirmed that a patient with Omicron is in hospital, becoming the first admission in Australia with the new version.
He is among 156 Kovid patients undergoing treatment at a hospital in NSW.
24 cases of COVID have been linked to The Argyle House nightclub in Newcastle (pictured)
Australia has recorded its first hospital admission of the Omicron version (pictured, passengers being tested at Sydney airport)
NSW Health warned that the number of omicron cases would increase if genomic test results were confirmed.
NSW Covid cases dropped slightly after two consecutive days of over 500 infections.
Two deaths were recorded, one person was in his 70s while the other was in his 80s. Both were not vaccinated.
The state recorded the highest number of cases on Saturday since October 9, two days ago. lockdown Picked up
Dozens of protesters took to Sydney’s Hyde Park on Sunday to protest the introduction of vaccine mandates in several industries.
Health officials confirm the first hospitalization of Australia’s Omicron as protesters packed the streets of Sydney to protest a vaccine mandate
A string of existing restrictions are expected to end as planned on Wednesday, including density limits, QR check-in at risk locations and masks.
Freedom will also increase for the 6.9 percent of the NSW population over the age of 16 who have not been fully vaccinated.
Experts have warned that cases will continue to rise with the easing of restrictions.
“It is quite possible and quite likely that we will see a further increase with those places being able to mix without vaccination,” infectious disease specialist Sanjay Senanayake told Weekend Today on Sunday.
‘However, New South Wales is very well vaccinated, so hopefully we will be able to stop those rising cases.’
NSW’s Omicron number of cases currently stands at 55 and is expected to rise
Meanwhile, Victoria recorded 1069 new cases and two deaths as Queensland reported one new case.
The traveler who returned from Nigeria currently in hotel quarantine ‘likely’ has the Omicron variant.
“We are following very closely their genomic sequencing results which should be available in the next couple of days … there is clearly a lot of interest as to whether it could be Omicron,” Deputy Chief Health Officer James Smith said.
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