Push for 50,000 people to get tested for COVID-19 each day to curb Sydney's south-west cluster
There's an ambitious push for an additional 30,000 people to come forward for coronavirus testing across south-western Sydney this morning to avoid any further COVID-19 restrictions.
The NSW Government wants to see daily testing figures sitting around 50,000 – up from the current 22,000.
Yesterday the state recorded no new cases of COVID-19 via community transmission but officials have warned high testing rates are key to keeping that figure down. Two cases were recorded after the reporting period.
A drive-through COVID-19 testing clinic in Auburn, in Sydney's south-west, on January 03, 2021. NSW Health wants at least 30,000 people to get tested each day, while the government wants it pushed to 50,000. Jenny Evans/Getty Images
"The (testing) numbers are far too low," NSW Acting Premier John Barilaro said yesterday.
"My message today is, again, if we are going to succeed in staying ahead of the COVID pandemic, testing is crucial."
Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said NSW Health would be happy if testing rates "well exceeded 30,000" today.
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Auburn drive through testing clinic. January 3, 2021. 9News
"That's the challenge I put to you," Dr Chant said.
Mr Barilaro has ruled out forcing south-west Sydney into lockdown, saying enough was being done to curb the spread.
The main areas of concern are a handful of suburbs in the region, including Berala.
Late yesterday, NSW Health dramatically widened the window of possible spread of coronavirus at a Woolworths in Berala.
Anyone who visited the store at any time between Sunday, December 20 and Thursday, December 31 is now considered a close contact with a positive case and must immediately get tested and self-isolate until they receive a negative result.
The Woolworths connects to the BWS that is the epicentre of the Berala cluster.
A warning has also been issued for the Bardwell Park RSL.
Anyone who was in the gaming room for an hour or more between 8.52pm and 11.30pm on Monday, December 28 is considered a close contact and must immediately get tested and self-isolate for 14 days regardless of the result.
A cinema in Auburn and a hair and beauty salon in Lidcombe are among the other venues with fresh health alerts.
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