NSW Covid cases jump to 403, as expert warns of Omicron ‘wake up call’
New South Wales coronavirus cases jumped to 403 today, up 56 per cent from yesterday’s 260, as a top health expert warned the rise of Omicron in Australia is a “wake-up call”.
Victoria set to confirm its first incidence of the Omicron variant today.
It comes after two of five COVID-19 cases stemming from a party boat outbreak in Sydney Harbour were found to likely have contracted Omicron yesterday.
The party boat was operated by Cadman cruises
And more cases are expected from that outbreak, with 140 guests in isolation.
NSW Health reported the 403 cases after more than 90,000 tests overnight.
“It is a wake-up call that coronavirus is out in the community, and it is extremely infectious, whether it is Delta or Omicron,” CSIRO health director Dr Rob Grenfell told Today.
“All large events pose a threat for us.”
He said people could take elementary steps to protect themselves from potential spread.
“Be aware that you need to check in so that you can be notified if a case has come out where you are,” he said.
“If you are not really confident you have the choice of not going. Wearing masks are effective in tight spots for preventing an infection.”
Dr Grenfell said while Omicron appeared more transmissible than Delta, the jury was still out on how severe it was.
“As we know, it takes a few days to get infected and around about another week until you get quite ill,” he said.
“From that point it takes another two to three weeks before you actually severely ill. We have a bit of time to run on this before we find out if this is more severe than Delta, or how severe this illness is.”
Authorities said the Sydney cruise, operated by Cadman Cruises, left King Street Wharf 9 at 7.30pm and returned about 11pm, on December 3.
On a Facebook event page set up for the cruise, organisers last week reminded guests to keep their mask on at all times unless eating or drinking and to bring proof of COVID-19 vaccination or an official exemption.
“Flow Presents and Cadman Cruises are COVID-safe businesses and abide by all current health orders and guidelines,” they said.
“We kindly ask that all patrons assist us with compliance and social distancing.”
A further six cases of the Omicron variant were detected in New South Wales on Tuesday, bringing the total number at that point to 31.
None have needed hospital treatment and most are linked to a cluster in Western Sydney.
Source: smh.com.au
