There were five new cases of COVID-19 in NSW on Tuesday, with one of those found in someone from overseas in hotel quarantine.
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One of the local cases was a man in his 20s, who is a household contact of a case linked to the Avalon cluster.
Another case, from western Sydney, was a household contact of a previously reported case whose source remains under investigation but is likely to be linked to the Berala cluster and another was a man in his 30s from western Sydney, whose case is under investigation.
The fifth case was the 18-year-old linked to the Berala cluster who travelled into western NSW, which was flagged the previous day.
The man's travel companions, who joined him on the camping trip through Nyngan, Broken Hill and Orange, have so far tested negative to the virus.
Acting Premier John Barilaro said there had been an incremental increase in the testing numbers since Sunday, with more than 32,000 tests across NSW in the 24 hours to 8pm on Tuesday.
"If we can remain in the 30 to 40,000 range that would be fantastic," he said.
NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said the test numbers from yesterday were pleasing, and said it was critical that those high testing rate remain.
She said health officials were concerned that there were unrecognised strains of the virus, particularly in the Berala area.
Dr Chant asked people to pay close attention to the health advice for certain venues, as NSW Health was issuing "initial stop and stay" advice for some places, asking people to get tested and isolate.
Once more details were known about particularly venues, the health advice may change to categorise people as casual, instead of close contacts.
Cricket to go ahead despite Melbourne Cricket Ground exposure
Minister for Health Brad Hazzard addressed the growing concerns about the cricket test to be held at at the SCG from Thursday, after Victoria issued alerts for the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The Victorian government announced on Wednesday that people seated in the Great Southern Stand on December 27 had possibly been exposed to COVID-19.
Mr Hazzard said two more suburbs - Wenthworthville and Belmore - have been added to the government's banned list, with people from these areas to receive a $1000 fine for attending the SCG.
Any person who was in the Great Southern Stand at the MCG will also receive a $1000 fine if they attend the match in Sydney.
Transport for NSW Acting Deputy Secretary for Greater Sydney Howard Collins said the transport plan would cater for 23,000 people, despite only 10,000 people being allowed to attend.
He said mask wearing and sanitising would be necessary on all public transport, with patrons asked to observe social distancing.
People are also asked to register their Opal cards to help with contact tracing at the event.
Kate McIlwain
For more than a decade, I've helped the Illawarra Mercury set the news agenda across the region. Currently I'm the paper's health reporter - covering the stories of Illawarra workers and residents in the wake of a global pandemic and at a time where our health systems are stretched to the limit.
For more than a decade, I've helped the Illawarra Mercury set the news agenda across the region. Currently I'm the paper's health reporter - covering the stories of Illawarra workers and residents in the wake of a global pandemic and at a time where our health systems are stretched to the limit.
