More than 40 residents in the Illawarra Shoalhaven local health district were diagnosed with COVID-19 for a second straight day.
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Across NSW 1351 new locally-acquired cases were recorded in the 24-hours to 8pm on Wednesday, as well as 12 deaths, which takes the toll for the current outbreak to 210.
Of the 44 new cases in the Illawarra-Shoalhaven LHD, 21 are from Wollongong, 20 live in Shellharbour, two are from Kiama and the other case was in the Shoalhaven.
For Wollongong, six are linked to known cases and investigations are ongoing for 15 other cases, in Shellharbour three are linked to known cases and investigations are ongoing for 17 cases, while the two cases in Kiama are both linked to known cases.
The number of community acquired cases of COVID in the region has now surpassed 500 since the outbreak began on June 16.
These "depressing" numbers prompted NSW Labor Health spokesman Ryan Park to urge the Government to stop "penny pinching" and ensure workers still have access to support payments.
NSW Labor called on the NSW Government to ensure that workers told to isolate by their employer were not left out of pocket simply because the Government had stopped contact tracing in their workplace.
Mr Park urged the NSW Government to work with the Commonwealth to ensure all workers who have to isolate for 14 days remain able to access the $1500 Commonwealth Disaster Payment.
"After 18 months of being told that close contacts must isolate for 14 days, businesses and employees are simply trying to do the right thing, keep their business operating, and keep their staff and customers safe," he said.
"No one should be left out of pocket simply for following the exact same health advice we have been for the last 18 months.
"At the same time as NSW is about to face record case numbers and hospitalisations, now isn't the time for penny pinching.
"If employers take action to keep their staff and customers safe, and their businesses open, then workers should get compensation."
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Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
