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NSW health authorities record zero new locally acquired coronavirus cases - ABC News

NSW has recorded zero locally acquired coronavirus infections, but investigations into a case confirmed this morning are "urgently under way".

More than 27,000 tests were conducted across the state yesterday and health authorities recorded six cases in overseas hotel quarantine.

However, health authorities were this morning made aware of a positive infection found in the northern peninsula of the northern beaches, where the Avalon cluster began.

"Investigations as to the source of this gentleman's infection are urgently under way," NSW chief health officer Kerry Chant said.

Dr Chant said the man was "quarantined for a period, then left quarantine and developed some symptoms [before] presenting for testing".

"The critical issue for us at the moment is determining how this person acquired their infection," she said.

Dr Chant said it was too premature to say whether the case would cause the stay-at-home provisions in Sydney's northern beaches to be extended beyond January 9.

"I know [the northern beaches] has been in lockdown for quite a while, but this actually explains why we need to be cautious," she said.

"I'm really pleased to see the really high testing rates, but we need to keep going to understand it.

"But hopefully [the case] is very confined."

The case will be included in tomorrow's numbers.

Acting NSW Premier John Barilaro said zero cases was a "tremendous result", but noted the testing rates from the latest reporting period had dropped from the day before.

The ABC understands Premier Gladys Berejiklian will return early from her holiday tomorrow to attend a National Cabinet meeting.

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard announced the state would make masks mandatory for spectators at all large sporting events, including A-league matches.

Mr Hazzard said the decision was based on health advice and the rule would be introduced "in the next day or two".

Two guys in masks outside the SCG
Peter Dray (left) and Mark Woodward enjoying the third cricket Test at the SCG, despite elevated restrictions.(ABC News: Tim Swanston)

It follows the requirement for spectators to wear masks at the third cricket Test at the SCG, which began today.

"We obviously would like to have avoided that, but the advice from public health is that that does add a further and very important layer [of protection] in our current environment," Mr Hazzard said.

"There are discussions taking place between Victoria, Queensland and NSW to look at implementing masks as a mandatory aspect of taking domestic flights between our states.

"But we're also now expecting that discussion to be extended to the National Cabinet on Friday."

Mr Hazzard was also incensed by reports of a GPs charging for COVID-19 tests.

"To see some footage of a general practitioner charging what he referred to as a 'consult fee' for a driveway COVID testing station, that had been set up in consultation with a private laboratory, was very disturbing," he said.

"NSW made it very clear, very early on that you will get free test at any one of our pathology clinics.

"If you happen to go for a private clinic and they ask you to pay, you tell them very clearly that the Government of NSW will take the bill… send the bill to us."

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https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMibmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvbmV3cy8yMDIxLTAxLTA3L25zdy1oZWFsdGgtcmVjb3Jkcy16ZXJvLW5ldy1sb2NhbGx5LWFjcXVpcmVkLWNvcm9uYXZpcnVzLWNhc2VzLzEzMDM4MjE00gEnaHR0cHM6Ly9hbXAuYWJjLm5ldC5hdS9hcnRpY2xlLzEzMDM4MjE0?oc=5

2021-01-07 00:07:00Z
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