Hundreds queue in Wollongong as person tests positive two days after leaving hotel quarantine

It was the first COVID health alert in three weeks, and communities in the south of New South Wales knew what to do.

Long queues formed yesterday in the Wollongong area after a person tested positive for coronavirus two days after finishing their stay in hotel quarantine.

A returned overseas traveller, the person spent 14 days in quarantine at the Sofitel Hotel Wentworth before testing positive.

The decision for a Day 16 test for those people who have been in quarantine was introduced by NSW Health last week as a cautionary measure as new variations of the virus keep them guessing.

Alerts went out across the Wollongong and Illawarra areas for locations visited by the person, with many lining up to be tested in the hope any spread of the virus can be caught quickly.

"The person from the Wollongong area returned two negative tests during their quarantine period and the source of the infection is under investigation," Deputy Chief Health Officer Dr Jeremy McAnulty said.

"The person did not have any symptoms but underwent testing as part of the recently enhanced 16-day follow up."

The person had a low level of infection and none of their household contacts have tested positive.

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Dr McAnulty said initial investigations suggest the case was acquired overseas and it is not thought they contracted the virus in hotel quarantine.

The person visited multiple cafes and retail shops while possibly infectious.

NSW Health issued the list of affected venues last night and said the person did not have any symptoms.

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

"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 quarantine setting.

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

"The person visited a number of venues in Wollongong and surrounding areas, as well as a café in Brighton Le Sands in south-eastern Sydney, before they were notified of the positive result from their day-16 test."

Anyone who attended the following venues at the times listed below is a close contact should immediately get tested and self-isolate for 14-days regardless of the result.

• Austinmer: Headlands Hotel Beer Garden — Tuesday 2 February, 1pm – 3pm
• Bulli: Bulli Beach Café — 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.

• Brighton Le Sands: Mootch & Me — Tuesday 2 February, 10.54am – 12pm
• North Wollongong: Optus — Thursday 4 February, 1pm – 1.15pm
• Fairy Meadow: Officeworks — Thursday 4 February, 3.45pm – 4.05pm; 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:

• Bulli: Woolworths — Wednesday 3 February, 9.15am – 10am
• Corrimal: Corrimal Memorial Park — Wednesday 3 February, 12pm – 1pm
• Thirroul: Thirroul Beach — Wednesday 3 February, 3pm – 4:30pm
• Madden Plains: Sublime Point Walking Track — Thursday 4 February, 8.30am – 10am
• Figtree: Figtree Grove Shopping Centre, in particular these stores: Australia Post, Kmart, Blooms The Chemist, Subway — Thursday 4 February, 2pm – 3.30pm
• Fairy Meadow: Fedora Pasta Factory — Friday 5 February, 3.30pm – 3.35pm