NSW's chief health officer harbours concerns about Unanderra as numbers of COVID-19 cases in the area continue to grow.
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The Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District saw another 82 locally acquired cases in the 24 hours to Wednesday night, including 59 in Wollongong, 13 in Shellharbour, and 10 in Shoalhaven.
Sixteen were in the postcode of 2526, double the number of infections it recorded the previous day.
There are now 51 active COVID cases within the postcode's boundary, which are among 662 in the Illawarra: 507 in Wollongong, 142 in Shellharbour, and 13 in Kiama.
The postcode 2526 also includes such suburbs as Farmborough Heights, Cordeaux Heights and Mount Kembla, but it was Unanderra that Dr Kerry Chant named in Thursday's daily press conference alongside suburbs of Sydney.
"It is important that everyone presents for testing and everyone takes this opportunity to get vaccinated," Dr Chant said.
Behavioural optometrist Susan Bilton's premises on the Princes Highway in Unanderra was on Thursday listed as a close contact venue by NSW Health.
Anyone who visited the rooms on Tuesday, September 21, from 3.30pm to 4.30pm has been advised to get tested immediately and isolate for 14 days, regardless of their test result.
Meantime, Dr Chant said the Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD's chief executive, Margot Mains, was developing targeted strategies to address vulnerable people's access to the COVID vaccine.
A NSW Health declaration that locked down a Keira Street apartment complex due to the high risk of COVID transmission is due to expire on Friday, two weeks after it came into effect.
However, the Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD has been unable to confirm whether the building - which houses the Wollongong Homeless Hub and its emergency accommodation, as well as other apartments - will reopen.
The building, along with the Piccadilly Motor Inn in Crown Street, has been subject to a multi-agency response involving health authorities and police since several residents contracted COVID.
Meanwhile, the local health district has advised of changes to two of its 33 testing clinics.
From Friday, the drive-through clinic at Port Kembla will instead operate from Albert Butler Park in Primbee, with access from Shellharbour Road, opposite Harvey Norman.
The clinic is open 8am to 4pm on weekdays, and 8am to 2pm on weekends.
The Bellambi clinic will move from Holy Spirit College to the soccer field car park in Armour Street on Saturday.
The drive-through and walk-in clinic will operate from 8am to 5pm daily.
Across NSW there were 941 new cases of community transmission reported on Thursday, as well as the deaths of six people.
Hospitals are treating 1090 COVID patients, with 40 admitted to Wollongong Hospital.
More than 200 people remain in intensive care.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said some changes to restrictions due to come into effect on December 1 would be brought in when 80 per cent of the adult population was fully vaccinated.
"They won't be major things, but there will be tweaks," Ms Berejiklian said.
It is expected the state will reach that milestone in late October.
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Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
