Two men fined for allegedly breaching self-isolation to go out in Newcastle
Two men have been fined for allegedly breaching self-isolation orders and travelling to Newcastle, the epicentre of the New South Wales Omicron outbreak.
The men, both 20 and understood to be known to each other, were told to self-isolate from December 8 after coming into close contact with a COVID-19 patient.
But they allegedly headed to the Argyle House nightclub on Wharf Road later that night.
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Both men were fined on Tuesday and self-isolating after testing positive for COVID-19.
At least one of the men had been to the boat party on Sydney Harbour that sparked an outbreak.
One of the men also went to a private residence in Adamstown on Saturday, police alleged.
They were fined $5000 for each alleged breach and inquiries are continuing.
Newcastle is now the centre of the state's Omicron outbreak, with a superspreader event at the Argyle House making the nightclub one of several transmission venues in the region.
More than 200 COVID-19 cases have already been linked to the nightclub.
Anyone who attended the nightclub between 9pm on Wednesday, December 8 to 3am on Thursday, December 9 has been deemed a close contact, and must immediately get tested and isolate for seven days.
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A person who allegedly ignored health advice to self-isolate and went to a Newcastle club, which is now linked to hundreds of cases, has been fined. 9News
The venue posted on social media yesterday to confirm it has closed until further notice as a result of the outbreak.
Almost half of yesterday's record-breaking COVID-19 cases in NSW were reported in the Hunter New England region, which includes Newcastle.
Of the 1742 new cases today, 633 were in the Hunter New England Local Health District.
NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said yesterday most of the COVID-19 cases in Newcastle appear to be the Omicron variant.
Just 10 people are in hospital in the Hunter region, with three in intensive care.
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People queue for COVID-19 testing at Honeysuckle in Newcastle. Darren Pateman
Testing sites in Newcastle have been swamped by huge queues after thousands of people in the region become casual contacts.
Some people were turned away and asked to come back later after some testing sites in the city reached capacity.
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