COVID-19 count climbs

By ALLISON HORE

Patrons and staff at s restaurant in Sydney’s Eastern suburbs are being asked to get tested and self isolate after a patron and staff member tested positive for COVID-19.

An investigation into Thai Rock restaurant in Potts Point was launched after a patient who tested positive for COVID-19 reported visiting the venue on Friday, 17 July. A staff member of the restaurant has also tested positive for the virus. 

The NSW Government is asking anyone who attended the restaurant on Wednesday, July 15 and Saturday, July 25 for two hours or more to be tested immediately regardless of whether or not they show symptoms. Patrons are also asked to self-isolate for 14 days since the last time they were there.

Those who were at the restaurant for less than two hours are urged to monitor for symptoms and if they appear, to isolate immediately and get tested.

The restaurant has been closed for cleaning and NSW Health officials will continue to investigate the course of the infection and work on contact tracing. 

The Potts Point eatery has the same owners as the Thai Rock restaurant in Wetherill park which is associated with a large cluster. 6 new COVID-19 cases associated with the restaurant were confirmed over the weekend, bringing the total number of cases linked to the restaurant to 67. As of yet, the investigation has not revealed a link between the two restaurants.

In NSW, seventeen new COVID-19 cases were diagnosed on Sunday, July 26 bringing the total number of cases across the state to 3,496.

“NSW, given the circumstances, is holding the line and doing okay, but we are still on high alert,” Premier Gladys Berejiklian said in a press conference on Monday.

As the number of cases in NSW grows, state health authorities are asking the public to maintain social distancing recommendations, to wear masks and to avoid travelling unless necessary.

“Avoid non-essential travel and gatherings. Of particular concern is transmission in venues such as hotels and restaurants, the gym and social gatherings,” NSW Health said in a release.

“Consider using a mask in situations where you are unable to social distance, particularly indoors.”

Thai Rock restaurant is one of a growing number of venues in the CBD with associated COVID-19 cases. Last week three venues in Paddington and Chippendale were closed after patrons tested positive for the virus.

Later on Monday night NSW Health began contacting patrons who visited The Apollo restaurant at Potts Point from Thursday 23 to Saturday 25 July to ask them to quarantine for 14 days after their visit. NSW Health has also advised any diners who develop symptoms to get tested.

COVID-19 impacted venues in the CBD:

• Star City Casino, Pyrmont (Saturday, July 4)
• Holy Duck! Restaurant, Chippendale (Friday, July 10, 7.15pm to 9.30pm)
• The Village Inn, Paddington (Saturday ,11 July from 6:30 to 10pm)
• Love Supreme, Paddington (Tuesday July 14 from 5.30pm to 9pm)
• Thai Rock, Potts Point (Wednesday July 15 – Saturday July 25)
• The Apollo restaurant, Potts Point (Thursday July 23 – Saturday July 25)