Four COVID-19 cases have been confirmed for the Albury area.
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None have been contracted through community transmission and Murrumbidgee Local Health District says no cases are linked to the Ruby Princess.
"We had one confirmed case, as of 2pm yesterday afternoon, and since that time we've been notified of another nine," public health deputy director Alison Nikitas said.
"All our cases so far have been related to overseas travel.
"We haven't seen any community transmission so far.
"A lot of those people that have come back overseas once the borders were closed, have now come back into 14 days of isolation and have developed symptoms over that time.
"We've had a variety of different places where people have travelled; some have been to New Zealand, some have been on cruises, we don't have any cases so far that are linked to the Ruby Princess, and others have been over to Indonesia.
"Currently all our cases are only mildly unwell; no one is seriously unwell and they are all being monitored at home.
"We are continuing our testing of people who fit the criteria and so far we've performed 987 tests."
Four cases are in Albury, including the one confirmed on Sunday, two are in Wagga, two are in Federation and there are also cases in Griffith and Cootamundra-Gundagai LGAs.
Ms Nikitas anticipates the number of cases will grow.
"I think with the way things have happened with the closure of borders and a lot of people coming back into the country now ... we will be seeing a rise," she said.
"It can take up to two weeks before people develop symptoms, so there could be a rise.
"We, in our area, have not found any confirmed community transmission.
"But it is essential we keep the messages going out to people, about social distancing, staying away from crowds and being careful of their own health."
Ms Nikitas said the nine additional cases would have been tested in "recent days" and that testing was now more accessible for people and criteria could change as cases grow.
"It has actually opened up a fair bit now, it was much tighter criteria before, obviously with the restriction as to where you had travelled, and now it's including all travel and more symptomatic cases as well," she said.
"A risk assessment will be done by calling one of the 1800 numbers.
"They can discuss whether they've had contact with anyone, whether they've travelled, or whether there's any other risk factors that might be present.
"It's best to get that medical assessment, because we do have limited tests available - we have plenty at the moment - but we need to make sure they get to the right people.
"Testing has a quicker turn-around time now, there are five labs testing in Sydney.
"We are also prioritising some of those tests for people that come back from the Ruby Princess, health care workers, and other people."
Ms Nikitas said she didn't have information on whether there were passengers on the Ruby Princess coming back into Murrumbidgee.
"As we've said, all people that are coming back to the country have been given the information to isolate for 14 days," she said.
"The government's been pretty forthright in advice to people - they really need to minimise any non-essential activity out in the community, and keep physical distancing.
"We're not at the end of this yet, we will be expecting to see further rises in cases, and the most important thing for our community to do is to follow the recommendations for that social distancing so that we can slow the spread of the disease."
Albury Wodonga Health's Sally Squire also issued the following statement on Wednesday morning:
"Albury Wodonga Health can confirm three NSW people, who were tested at the Albury Wodonga Health clinic, have returned a positive result to COVID-19. The results take the total number of positive COVID-19 results, from those tested at the Albury Wodonga Health clinic, to four," she said.
- FOLLOW OUR LIVE BLOG: Border and North East COVID-19 updates as they happen
"All cases notified were diagnosed after travelling overseas or being in contact with a confirmed case. All patients have experienced mild to moderate symptoms and are in self isolation to ensure they do not transmit the virus. None of the cases identified are inpatients at either the Albury or Wodonga hospitals.
"They are being managed at home with the support of their GP and a daily check up with local health services. NSW Public Health will work with all of the new cases to determine their movements and supervise their self-isolation.
"The Albury Wodonga Clinic has conducted 1307 screening calls to date. There have been 330 patients who have been tested."
EARLIER: There are nine new cases of COVID-19 located across the Albury, Griffith, Federation, Cootamundra-Gundagai and Wagga local government areas, confirmed yesterday afternoon.
Up until yesterday morning, there was only one case confirmed in the Murrumbidgee - the Border case announced at the weekend.
So the new cases, confirmed at 5pm on Tuesday, brings the number across the district to 10, with 987 people tested.
All cases notified were diagnosed after travelling overseas or being in contact with a confirmed case, Murrumbidgee Local Health District says.
All patients have experienced mild to moderate symptoms and are in self isolation to ensure they do not transmit the virus.
They are being managed at home with the support of their GP and a daily check up with local health services.
The MLHD Public Health Unit interviews the person to determine their movements while they were infectious.
Where individuals are identified as close contacts, the Public Health Unit directs these contacts to self-isolate for 14 days after they were last in contact with the case.
It comes as Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced beauty therapies, weddings, funerals, food courts and open houses, plus other activities, have been included in closures and restrictions.
MORE CORONAVIRUS NEWS:
In NSW, cases have risen to 1029, but overseas cases (500) and contact from a known case still account for the majority of cases.
NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant is still investigating cases where there isn't a known origin.
"We're reporting our first cases in children under 10 today; we've got two children under 10 confirmed on the 24th of March," she said.
"We are seeing a number of returning travellers increase across our borders, because a large number of them are returning to Australia.
"It is critical those individuals self-isolate.
"If people follow those clear directions, you will not be posing any risk to members of the household, or of the community."
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian was asked whether there should be regional-specific instruction around virus control, considering the growth in regional numbers, at her daily press conference on Wednesday.
"We've discussed this at length with colleagues and health authorities, and we believe it's appropriate to have one set of standards across the state," she said.
"Many people coming from ships and overseas are from regional NSW.
"We don't want people to travel around the state unless they absolutely have to.
"We need to be as clear as possible and having one rule for NSW makes it clear for all of our citizens.
"We're stepping up on checks and enforcement."
Ms Berejiklian said Crime Stoppers had received reports of people disobeying self-isolation directions.
MLHD recommends community members to follow NSW Health advice around social distancing and self-isolation to slow the spread of the virus.
Reducing contact between people unless absolutely necessary, especially those in our population who may be more vulnerable or susceptible to the illness because of age or weakened immunity, is critical to slowing the spread and impact of COVID-19.
Practicing hand hygiene and social distancing remain the most effective ways to reduce transmission of the virus.
Follow the advice given by NSW Health authorities and stay up to date with what's going on the website at: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/diseases
MLHD ADVICE:
- The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, sore throat and dry cough.
- Symptoms will generally appear 3-4 days after exposure to the virus but can be up to 14 days later.
- Members of the public are advised to minimise travel, increase personal awareness around hand hygiene and practice social distancing.
- Call the Murrumbidgee COVID-19 Hotline on 1800 831 099 for assessment (7.00am - 11.00 pm)
- Call the free-call coronavirus hotline 1800 022 222 and receive advise on the best course of action depending on your symptoms and risks.
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