New South Wales and Victoria on alert after new locally acquired COVID-19 cases discovered

Two states are on high alert after locally acquired cases of COVID-19 were detected in New South Wales and Victoria overnight.

In NSW, state health authorities are carrying out precautionary contact tracing in relation to a returned overseas traveller who tested positive to COVID-19 two days after leaving hotel quarantine.

The person, based in the Wollongong area, did not test positive for the coronavirus during their quarantine period, but underwent testing as part of the recently enhanced day-16 follow-up.

Test results indicate the person has a low level of infection and their household contacts have returned negative results to date.

NSW Health says investigations to date suggest the infection was likely acquired overseas and there is no indication at this stage that there was transmission in the hotel setting.

Close contacts of the case not associated with venues have been identified and are already in self isolation.

The case visited a number of venues in Wollongong and surrounding areas.

Anyone who attended the following venues at the times listed below should immediately get tested and self-isolate until further advice from NSW Health:

• Headlands Hotel, Austinmer Tuesday 2 February, 1pm-3pm
• Bulli Beach Café, Bulli Saturday 6 February, 1.30pm-4pm

Anyone who attended the following venues at the times listed below is a casual contact who must get tested immediately and self-isolate until you receive a negative result. If any symptoms appear, get tested again:

• Mootch & Me, Brighton Le Sands Tuesday 2 February, 10.54am-12pm
• Optus, North Wollongong Thursday 4 February, 1pm-1.15pm
• Officeworks, Fairy Meadow Thursday 4 February, 3.45pm-4.05pm and Friday 5 February 3pm-3.25pm

Anyone who attended the following venues at the times listed below should monitor for symptoms. If symptoms appear, please get tested:

• Woolworths, Bulli Wednesday 3 February, 9.15am-10am
• Corrimal Memorial Park, Corrimal Wednesday 3 February, 12pm-1pm
• Thirroul Beach, Thirroul Wednesday 3 February, 3pm-4.30pm
• Sublime Point Walking Track, Madden Plains - Thursday 4 February, 8.30am-10am
• Figtree Grove Shopping Centre (Australia Post, Kmart, Blooms The Chemist, Subway), Figtree Thursday 4 February, 2pm-3.30pm
• Fedora Pasta Factor, Fairy Meadow Friday 5 February, 3.30pm-3.35pm.

Melbourne quarantine worker tests positive

Victoria's Department of Health has also issued a number of public health alerts after a hotel quarantine worker at Melbourne Airport's Holiday Inn tested positive for COVID-19.

The individual was tested on 4 February and returned a negative result.

They returned to work on 7 February, developed symptoms, were tested and then returned a positive result.

VIC Health has contacted Holiday Inn Airport workers and others considered primary close contacts. They are required to immediately isolate, get tested, and remain isolated for 14 days.

As such, public health alerts have been issued for the following venues:

• Marciano's Cakes, Maidstone Friday 5 February, 9.45am-10.25am
• Dan Murphy's, Sunshine Friday, 5 February, 5.50pm-6.30pm and Saturday 6 February, 6.50pm-7.30pm
• Off Ya Tree Watergardens, Taylors Lakes Saturday 6 February, 1.17pm-1.52pm

VIC Health says those who have been in one of those exposure sites in the specified times are required to immediately isolate, get tested, and remain isolated for 14 days.

Updated 9.29am AEDT on 8 February 2021.