About 40,000 residents from Bateau Bay to The Entrance North are on high alert after COVID-19 was detected at the Bateau Bay Sewage Treatment Plant and a third Central Coast resident, in the 2263 postcode area, has been diagnosed with the virus.
The 2263 postcode includes Canton Beach, Charmhaven, Gorokan, Lake Haven, Norah Head, Noraville and Toukley.
Central Coast Local Health District (CCLHD) announced on Sunday, July 11, that a man who was diagnosed with COVID-19 was linked to a known case at a construction site in Sydney.
“No public exposure sites on the Coast have been identified and there is no identified risk to the local community,” a CCLHD spokesperson said.
“This case is in isolation in Special Health Accommodation in Sydney for the protection of household contacts, with health staff undertaking daily wellness checks.
“There are five close contacts of this case, all of whom have tested negative and are in home isolation.”
CCLHD is now providing care and support to a total of three Central Coast residents who have been diagnosed with COVID-19.
This latest, and third case, is not linked to the two previously known cases which are in 2261 postcode area.
A CCLHD spokesperson said the detection of COVID-19 at the Bateau Bay Sewage Treatment Plant corresponded with those known cases in the area.
One case is linked to Great Ocean Foods in Marrickville and the second case is a household contact of the first case.
The spokesperson said both cases were in self-isolation during their infectious period and there was no identified risk to the community.
Following the detection of COVID-19 at the Bateau Bay Sewage Treatment Plant, CCLHD wants residents in Bateau Bay, Shelly Beach, Toowoon Bay, Blue Bay, Long Jetty, The Entrance, Killarney Vale and The Entrance North to remain vigilant for any virus symptoms.
“No matter how mild, get tested immediately and self-isolate until you receive a negative result,” a CCLHD spokesperson said.
Symptoms of COVID-19 include a fever, cough, sore or scratchy throat, shortness of breath, runny nose and loss of taste or smell.
Stay at home orders remain in place for the third week until Friday, July 16, with even tighter restrictions put in place from July 9.
Outdoor public gatherings are limited to two people excluding members of the same household, and people must stay in their local government area or within 10kms of home for exercise and outdoor recreation, with no carpooling between non-household members.
Browsing in shops is prohibited, plus only one person per household per day may leave the home for shopping.
Funerals are limited to 10 people in total.
NSW Health Public Health Orders allow only four reasons people should be leaving their home: To shop for food or other essential goods and services (one person only); Medical care or compassionate needs (only one visitor can enter another residence to fulfil carers’ responsibilities or provide care or assistance, or for compassionate reasons); Exercise with no more than two people (unless members of the same household); and, Essential work, or education, where you cannot work or study from home.
Generally, visiting another person is not a reasonable excuse to leave your home, nor should you allow a person to visit your home except for the above mentioned reasons, according to the Public Health Orders.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, is urging local residents to report to Crime Stoppers any individuals or businesses breaking COVID restrictions.
He urged residents to be the eyes and ears of police and report possible breaches of social restrictions.
He said all it would take is a small number of people doing the wrong thing to cause COVID-19 to spread through the community.
Sue Murray