Covid ground zero southwest Sydney has the lowest testing rate in the city raising fears the outbreak is much worse than it seems and lockdown will last for weeks
- Testing rates in Sydney’s south-west are the lowest in the city despite case surge
- Fairfield has become ground zero with 105 cases but second-lowest testing rates
- Canterbury-Bankstown and Liverpool remain way below Greater Sydney average
- Testing in Waverley, Randwick and Woolahra remain high despite low cases
Testing rates in Sydney’s south-west are the lowest in the city despite cases skyrocketing there – prompting fears the outbreak is worse than it seems.
Fairfield is ground zero for the latest coronavirus outbreak with 105 cases recorded over the past four weeks – but it has the second-lowest rate of testing in Sydney.
The council area has just 93 tests per 1,000 residents which could mean many cases are going undiagnosed and be spreading to family and passersby.
Testing rates in Sydney’s south-west are the lowest in the city despite cases skyrocketing in the area – prompting fears the lockdown will extend into the foreseeable future
Fairfield has become ground zero for the latest coronavirus outbreak with 105 cases recorded over the past four weeks – however it has the second-lowest rate of testing in Greater Sydney
In the past four weeks in Waverley 625 people per 1,000 residents have been tested – helping officials get on top of the outbreak
With new cases breaking the 100 barrier on Monday for the first time since the start of the pandemic, with another 89 on Tuesday, the NSW Government pleaded for testing numbers to rise.
In Waverley, the eastern suburbs council where the Delta variant outbreak began, rates remain extremely high despite cases falling.
In the past four weeks, 625 people per 1,000 residents have been tested – helping officials get on top of the outbreak.
Neighbouring LGAs of Randwick and Woolahra also retain high testing rates, at 451 per 1,000 and 524 per 1,000 respectively.
Randwick Council has seen 451 tests per 1,000 people as the area took control of its latest coronavirus outbreak
Falling cases in Sydney’s eastern surburbs have come as the result of high levels of testing
Attention has now turned to Sydney’s west, where a high-visibility police operation is in place attempting to stop residents flouting the rules.
Fairfield’s numbers are hugely concerning, as are neighbouring Canterbury-Bankstown and Liverpool – with fears the lack of testing will see the situation worsen.
Canterbury-Bankstown, despite 73 cases, has just 126 tests per 1,000 people. Liverpool has 37 cases and only 112 tests per 1,000 people.
Both are well below the Sydney LGA average of 195 tests per 1,000 residents.
The state’s Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant singled out residents of the Fairfield, Canterbury-Bankstown and Liverpool LGAs in the Covid press conference on Monday, urging residents to come forward and get tested.
Fairfield’s numbers are hugely concerning, as are neighbouring Canterbury-Bankstown and Liverpool – with fears the lack of community participation will see the situation worsen
‘We are suggesting and recommending a lot more testing, particularly in the areas of concern, so we can flush out any unrecognised cases and block those chains of transmission,’ she said.
Dr Chant specifically mentioned people in Fairfield, Fairfield West, Fairfield Heights, West Hoxton, Smithfield, Bossley Park, Wakelely, Glenfield and Bonnyrigg to seek tests.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian did hint at signs of improvement in the areas, with the four-day rates between July 7 and July 10 increasing in the three LGAs.
Fairfield saw a 43 per cent increase in testing over the period, while Canterbury-Bankstown and Liverpool saw 18 per cent increases.