Central Coast Local Health District has confirmed that a fourth Central Coast resident has been diagnosed with COVID-19.
The person had been identified as a close contact of a case linked to the Avalon cluster, they were already isolating at home before becoming infectious.
This person and their household contact remain in self-isolation at home, with health staff undertaking daily wellness checks.
Health authorities are appealing to anyone who is experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, no matter how mild, to get tested immediately.
Reminding people if they do need to get tested, it is important that they isolate straight away, and remain in isolation until receiving a negative result.
Dr Andrew Montague, Chief Executive of Central Coast Local Health District said in an interview with Central Coast Newspapers today;
“A [health] new order for greater metropolitan Sydney, including the Central Coast will come into effect from midnight tonight. In effect, any public gathering .. including New Year and into the foreseeable future until other announcements are made.”
“Gatherings will need to be limited to a maximum of 30 and that means you also have to physically distance…”
Mr Montague explained the new gathering limits, “In terms of people visiting your residence, the maximum is five, in addition to the residents that live there… If people are coming to your house I encourage people to sit outside.. where you have much better ventilation and circulation of air and [this] reduces your risk…”
Testing advice
NSW Health says it is critical that if you have been identified as a close contact of a case, that you complete your full period of isolation, even if you have received a negative test result.
Symptoms of COVID-19 include a fever cough, sore/scratchy throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, and loss of taste or smell.
To help more people in our community get tested we have extended the opening hours of our COVID-19 clinics at Gosford and Wyong hospitals with both clinics open from 8am to 6pm starting tomorrow until 3 January.
- Gosford Hospital – 75 Holden Street, Gosford. Bookings are encouraged on 4320 5055, however, walk-ins are accepted.
- Wyong Hospital – Building C (opposite the Health Services Building). Bookings are encouraged 4394 9200, however, walk-ins are accepted. Both clinics are open on New Year’s Day.
For a full list of COVID-19 clinics and opening times, please visit the NSW Health website for the latest advice and information about COVID-19 visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19
Information source: Interview with Dr Andrew Montague Dec 30, 2020 2.25pm. Media release Central Coast Local Health District Dec 30, 2020
Local news and information relating to COVID-19 can be found here.