“NSW Health can confirm that there is no shared air-conditioning between the rooms,which all have their own units,” it said. “The units also do not connect to the corridor.”
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said on Wednesday morning said the new case could be the “missing link” between the security guard and the returned traveller.
“[NSW] Health is making further investigations,it could be very much the missing link between the returned traveller and the guard and those studies will be done during the day,” she said.
On Monday,NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said it was unclear how the virus moved between the traveller and the guard,as they had not had any known contact within the hotel while on the same floor.
“At the moment there is not a clear and obvious breach that explains it,” she said.
The Premier said the recently identified coronavirus cases would “not change anything in Sydney”,including easing of restrictions.
Changes to restrictions scheduled to be changed on Wednesday,as foreshadowed by the Premier three weeks ago,include being able to stand up while drinking at a hospitality venue.
At budget estimates earlier this month,Health Minister Brad Hazzard suggested this could extend to “shuffling” as well as standing,after being asked if dancing at venues could also return.
The Sofitel Wentworth,where a security guard tested positive for coronavirus on the weekend.Credit:Brook Mitchell
The Premier said no changes to the state’s hotel quarantine system were planned as a result of the new case.
“Until we know the facts and the case,we are not going to do anything to upset what is,in the main,a very good system.”
Over the course of the pandemic,NSW has processed 145,000 returned travellers through its hotel quarantine system. During this time,seven people working in contact with returned travellers have caught the virus.
It has been rare that people working in the hotel quarantine system have spread the virus beyond the hotel.
The first cases were two security guards who worked at the Marriott Hotel,whose infections were reported on August 17 and 22.
The resulting Berala cluster grew to 28 cases across December and January.
NSW Health said measures taken to minimise the risk of COVID-19 leaking from the hotel quarantine system into the community included daily saliva testing for health staff,cleaners,security,police and Defence personnel on shift.
“Staff are also provided with guidance on how to minimise risk to their loved ones,” it said.
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