Health officials are on alert after fragments of the virus that causes COVID-19 were discovered in the Wallacia sewage treatment plant, which services Mulgoa, Silverdale, Wallacia and Warragamba.
Around 6,882 people are serviced by the Wallacia plant.
It comes after 36 new cases were reported in the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.
415 new locally acquired cases were reported across New South Wales.
Everyone in NSW must stay at home unless they have a reasonable excuse to leave.
They also cannot have visitors in their home from outside their household, including family and friends. People still can have one visitor at one time to fulfil carers’ responsibilities or provide care or assistance, or for compassionate reasons, including where two people are in a relationship but do not live together.
In addition, in Greater Sydney and other lockdown areas, the 10-kilometre rule will be reduced from 12.01am tomorrow (Monday, August 16), with shopping, exercise and outdoor recreation to be done in a person’s local government area (LGA) or, if outside their LGA, within five kilometres of home. LGAs of concern must still exercise and shop within five kilometres from home only.
NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said she remained extremely concerned with the current case numbers.
“These case numbers are too high. We need to see these case numbers go down and we all have a part to play,” she said.
“Whilst we have put in additional controls, everyone needs to have a great sense of responsibility to follow the rules.”
Premier Gladys Berejklian said vaccination remained the key message, welcoming an announcement that more Pfizer was on the way thanks to an agreement between the Federal Government and Poland.
“Please come forward and get vaccinated. Don’t be too fussed on what vaccine you are offered,” she said.
“Get your hands on whatever vaccine you can.”
Troy Dodds is the Weekender’s Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.
