Six staff at Anglicare's Newmarch House in Caddens have also tested positive for coronavirus after an aged care worker for six days attended work with mild respiratory symptoms and later tested positive to the illness.

Some 11 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed on Thursday in NSW, at least five of which stemming from Newmarch House.

The state now has 2897 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 26 deaths.

NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant on Thursday said almost all Newmarch House residents would undergo testing for COVID-19, while strict isolation protocols have been implemented.

"Clearly it's a priority for us to identify all cases - there's an intensive infection control emphasis on the aged care facility," Dr Chant told reporters.

"The advice given to me is that she had incredibly minimal symptoms ... a scratchy throat, a runny nose for a short period."

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian empathised with the aged care worker's sense of guilt but echoed Dr Chant's call for such workers to take care.

"She's very upset about what's occurred and all of us empathise with her. She did the right thing - as soon as she realised she could've been in contact with someone with the illness she got tested," Ms Berejiklian told reporters.

NSW Labor health spokesman Ryan Park called on the government to enforce daily temperature checks on healthcare and aged care workers, as well as extra support and protective equipment in light of the incident.

Ms Berejiklian also vowed to leave no stone unturned in the search for answers on the disembarkation of the ill-fated Ruby Princess cruise ship, responsible for 19 COVID-19 deaths across Australia and hundreds of cases.

Eminent barrister Bret Walker SC is leading a special commission of inquiry into the Ruby Princess and is expected to report back within four months.

The cruise is also subject to a police probe, with the potential for a coronial inquest.

There are almost 150 crew aboard the Ruby Princess with confirmed cases of COVID-19, while another 13 crew members have been evacuated to NSW hospitals.

NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller this week said the cruise ship - which is docked at Port Kembla - could leave Australia by Sunday.

In a full-page advertisement in The Australian on Thursday, Ruby Princess' operator Princess Cruises said it fully supported all inquiries into the incident.

NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro, meanwhile, on Thursday pledged $100 million for rural and regional areas of the state to maintain jobs amid the pandemic.

This sum included $46 million for the Forestry Corporation's regrowth efforts.

Ms Berejiklian reiterated authorities were looking closely at shutdown measures across the state, but said social distancing measures would remain in place.

"Until we find a cure, there's a safe way of treating people who have the virus or until there's a vaccine, we have to live with this," she said.

Australian Associated Press