The number of locally acquired COVID-19 cases in NSW linked to the Bondi cluster has grown to 36, after 11 new infections were announced - among them a Wollongong woman.
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NSW Health figures show there were 18 new cases in the 24 hours to 8pm on Wednesday, 13 of which were announced earlier.
A Wollongong woman in her 20s, a close contact of a previously reported case linked to the Bondi cluster, was among Wednesday's new cases.
NSW Health has also confirmed fragments of the virus were detected in the sewage network at Bellambi.
In light of the new case, Victoria has declared Wollongong a 'red zone', which restricts residents, as well as visitors to the Wollongong LGA, from entering the state, effective Friday 1AM.
Meantime, there were another six cases detected after the 8pm cut off which will be included in Friday's official tally.
This means there's a total of 11 new cases reported on Thursday linked to the outbreak that began in Bondi last week.
Of the 11 new cases, all but one are linked to a known case or the Bondi cluster, with urgent investigations underway into how a man in his 40s caught the virus. He's the second man in as many days who has contracted the virus from an unknown source.
One of the new overnight infections is NSW Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall, who confirmed on Thursday that he had tested positive after dining at a restaurant in Sydney's east at the same time as a previously reported case linked to the Bondi cluster.
"This morning just after 8am I was formally advised by NSW Health that I had returned a positive test for COVID-19," Mr Marshall said on Thursday.
"I'm doing fine and will continue to strictly follow the advice of health authorities.
"I have been in isolation in Sydney since late Tuesday night, when I received a text message from NSW Health."
Mr Marshall has been isolating at his Sydney flat since Tuesday night and won't be able to return to his Armidale home for at least 14 days. His ministerial staff are also in isolation.
He had dined with three of his Nationals colleagues -Trevor Khan, Steph Cooke and Ben Franklin - with all three understood to have tested negative.
The four MPs were in parliament on Tuesday afternoon after attending a partyroom meeting earlier in the day.
Parliament staffers have been told to stay home on Thursday, and MPs inside the Macquarie Street building are undergoing rapid COVID tests.
Government Whip Adam Crouch has instructed MPs to "stay put" until they receive an update.
"If you are currently in Parliament House remain in Parliament House," he said in a statement.
"If you are not in Parliament House, remain where you are."
Media and non-essential staff have been told to leave, and get tested.
Just 16 MPs are inside the NSW Parliament on Thursday - just enough to pass the 2021/22 budget handed down this week before the current session is suspended.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Brad Hazzard has tested negative and is out of isolation after being exposed to a potential case at parliament.
Mr Hazzard admitted it "was likely" other MPs could be affected.
Opposition Leader Chris Minns has postponed his budget reply speech due on Thursday.
"All sides agree now is not the time for politics ... we need to get through what is a very difficult health situation in Sydney," he told Sydney radio 2GB.
Mr Hazzard on Thursday played down fears Sydney was on the brink of a lockdown.
"I don't believe that we will go into a lockdown," he told ABC radio.
However, Premier Gladys Berejiklian warned on Wednesday "the NSW government will not hesitate to go further and harder if we have to".
Meanwhile, school holiday plans are in tatters for many Sydney parents under new travel restrictions.
People living or working in the City of Sydney, Waverley, Randwick, Canada Bay, Inner West, Bayside, and Woollahra local government areas cannot move outside the metro zone unless it's absolutely essential.
AT A GLANCE
Of the 18 locally acquired cases notified to 8pm last night, 13 cases were already announced yesterday:
- Eight of these cases are linked to a birthday party in West Hoxton, attended by a previously reported case linked to the Bondi cluster. About 30 people attended this party and they have all been tested and are in isolation.
- A woman in her 20s from Wollongong who is a close contact of a previously reported case linked to the Bondi cluster.
- A hairdresser from Western Sydney who worked in Double Bay. He is not linked to a known case or cluster. Urgent investigations are underway.
- A woman in her 20s from Sydney's eastern suburbs who is a close contact of a previously reported case.
- A man in his 70s from Sydney's eastern suburbs who is linked to the Bondi cluster.
- A man in his 50s from Sydney's eastern suburbs who is linked to the Bondi cluster.
Five further locally acquired cases were notified to 8pm last night:
- Two women and a man from Sydney's south west who are linked to the birthday party, attended by previously reported cases linked to the Bondi cluster.
- A teenager from Sydney's eastern suburbs who is linked to the Bondi cluster.
- A woman in her 20s from Sydney's eastern suburbs who is a close contact of a previously reported case.
Six locally acquired cases were notified overnight. These cases will be included in tomorrow's numbers:
- A man in his 30s who attended the Christo's Pizzeria in Paddington at the same time as a previously reported case linked to the Bondi cluster.
- Three women who are close contacts of a previously reported case who works as a hairdresser at a Double Bay hair salon. All have been in isolation while infectious.
- A man in his 40s who is linked to the West Hoxton birthday party, attended by previously reported cases linked to the Bondi cluster. A total of 11 people who attended the party have now tested positive for COVID-19.
- A man in his 40s. He is not yet linked to a known case or cluster. Urgent investigations are underway.
Anyone who attended Crown Hair in Kings Cross on Tuesday June 22 from 9am to 5pm is a close contact and must immediately call NSW Health on 1800 943 553, get tested and isolate for 14 days, regardless of the result.
NSW Health is continuing to ask anyone who was in Westfield Bondi Junction (including the car park), particularly Fitness First, at any time between June 12 and 18 to get tested for COVID-19.
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