Fifty cases have been confirmed with the COVID-19 virus in the Nepean-Blue Mountains Local Health District as new national restrictions imposed this week attempt to control its spread.
Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District and NSW Health data show as of 8pm Wednesday March 25 showed there are 50 people in the district confirmed to have COVID-19. It equals to just under 13 cases for every 100,000 people and a 1.21 per cent positive rate out of everyone tested. The region has tested 4,147 people.
On Monday the region had tested 3,187 people for COVID-19 who have returned negative results. Twenty two cases were confirmed.
A spokesman said staff were supporting all confirmed COVID-19 cases and had "spoken to all close contacts of confirmed cases and asked them to self-isolate for 14 days from last contact". The cases are being monitored daily.
The Central Coast has similar numbers with 49 confirmed cases but fewer people are taking the test there. The highest number of cases are in South Eastern Sydney (319), Northern Sydney (247) and Hunter New England (117) in part due to higher tourist numbers, a Health spokeswoman said. . The far west district has no cases confirmed.
The news came as hotels, clubs, cinemas, gyms, indoor sporting venues and churches joined other non-essential services closing their doors on Monday under strict new coronavirus measures.
Tourism icon Scenic World announced they would shut temporarily from Tuesday, as did the Explorer Bus service. Cafes and restaurants are restricted to home delivery and takeaway.
NSW schools are open at least to the end of term, but parents can choose to keep children at home.
NBMLHD has opened COVID-19 screening clinics at Nepean, Hawkesbury, Blue Mountains and Lithgow Hospitals. You can find more information on these clinics here.
Everyone can play a part in helping contain the spread of COVID-19 by washing hands with soap and water often, using hand sanitiser, coughing and sneezing into your elbow or disposable tissue, maintain social distance and staying home if you're unwell. The NSW Health website has more advice.