Urgent warning to 2,500 soccer fans after a man in his 20s infected with coronavirus went on a three-day drinking session at FIVE popular pubs as well as an A-League game – with customers told to isolate immediately
- A man in his 20s from Newcastle area in NSW has tested positive to COVID-19
- The positive case is the close contact of a teenager identified on Wednesday
- The man visited five pubs over three days and a stadium for an A-League game
- Revellers of three pubs are to self-isolate while others must monitor symptoms
An urgent health warning has been issued for 2,500 A-League fans after a positive coronavirus case attended a Newcastle Jets match as well as five pubs over three days.
Soccer fans who were at McDonald’s Jones Stadium in Broadmeadow, about two hours north of Sydney, from 7.30pm on Sunday are advised to keep an eye out for COVID-19 symptoms and are required to self-isolate if symptoms appear.
The warning comes after a man in his 20s from Newcastle in New South Wales tested positive to coronavirus. He is a close contact of a teenager who was identified as a positive case on Wednesday.
New South Wales is battling at least 104 active coronavirus cases, causing fears the state is heading towards an out-of-control second wave of infections as seen in Victoria.
According to the Hunter New England Local Health District, the new positive coronavirus case visited five pubs over three days, as well as the stadium.
Soccer fans who were at McDonald’s Jones Stadium in Broadmeadow on Sunday from 7.30pm are advised to keep an eye out for COVID-19 symptoms. Pictured: Newcastle Jets fans sit in the crowd during Sunday evening’s match
Revellers who attended three different venues are required to get a COVID-19 test and immediately self-isolate for 14 days. The positive coronavirus case visited Greenroof Hotel in Hamilton (pictured) from 10pm to midnight on Friday July 31
Revellers who attended three of the venues over the same time period are required to get a COVID-19 test and immediately self-isolate for 14 days.
The man visited Bennett Hotel in Hamilton from 5.30pm to 10pm on Friday July 31, before moving to Greenroof Hotel, also in Hamilton, from 10pm to midnight.
The third venue for immediate self-isolation is the sports bar at Wests New Lambton, with the positive case visiting from 5pm to 7.30pm on Sunday August 2.
‘The venues have been notified and are undergoing cleaning. Contact tracing is underway,’ a statement read.
Health authorities are also urging patrons who visited the Queens Wharf Hotel in Newcastle from 9.30pm to 11pm on Saturday August 1 and the Sydney Junction Hotel in Hamilton from midnight to 1.30am on Sunday August 2 to be alert for symptoms.
‘If any [symptoms] develop get tested and self-isolate immediately,’ the health advice said.
The positive coronavirus case visited the Queens Wharf Hotel from 9.30pm to 11.00pm on Saturday. Patrons must keep alert for coronavirus symptoms
Dr Kat Taylor, Public Health Controller for Hunter New England Health’s COVID-19 response said they are working to identify any further contacts or venues of the two positive coronavirus cases in the Newcastle area.
‘It is vital people in the community continue to present for testing if experiencing symptoms to limit the spread of the virus,’ she said.
‘I encourage everyone to follow directions they receive about home isolation and quarantine, and maintain COVID-safe practices of physical distancing, coughing or sneezing into their elbow, and regularly washing their hands.’
The positive coronavirus case visited the Sydney Junction Hotel in Hamilton (pictured) from from midnight to 1.30am on Sunday August 2. Any revellers who visited the venue at the same time are urged to monitor for coronavirus symptoms
With the identification of additional coronavirus cases in the Newcastle area, the Hunter New England Local Health District is expecting an increase in the demand for testing.
Dr Taylor said the district has enhanced their local testing capability to best serve the community.
‘In addition to expanding our call centre capacity and the number of phone lines available to improve booking wait times, we will extend hours and capacity at a number of local clinics,’ she said.
‘However, please be patient if visiting a clinic or calling for a booking. We have thousands of testing opportunities throughout the course of today and will see people as quickly as possible.’
More to come
The positive coronavirus case attended the Newcastle Jets game from 7.30pm on Sunday. Pictured: Connor O’Toole of the Newcastle Jets is contested by Josh Risdon of Western United on Sunday