As police prepare for a repeat demonstration tomorrow, they are pursuing a guy who may have attended last weekend's anti-lockdown march while infected with Covid-19.
To 8 p.m. Thursday, NSW has documented 170 locally acquired cases, down from 239 instances on Wednesday, but at least 52 individuals had spent some or all of their infectious time in the community.
According to police commissioner Mick Fuller, intelligence suggested that another protest was planned. He claimed demonstrators would be met by over 1,000 police officers and that the police would be prepared if the protest was transferred to another section of Sydney.
Gladys Berejiklian, the Premier of New South Wales, has warned that those who attend risk putting their family to death.
“Can I please issue a warning to anyone planning on engaging in illegal activity or protesting tomorrow?” she asked. “You could bring the disease home with you and spread it to your parents, siblings, brothers, and sisters, or anyone else with whom you have limited contact."
“Do not sentence those you love the most to death.”
According to Fuller, the contagious individual was apprehended by police at Central Station last Saturday, given a $1,000 infringement notice, and told to return home. They aren't sure if the person followed the instructions, though. He could have gone to the rally.
Dr. Kerry Chant, chief health officer, said, "We are currently working with police operationally to locate that person and determine whether they actually did attend the protest."
The individual, a 35-year-old Granville resident, is thought to have tested positive for Covid a day after the protest and was likely highly infectious.
Police were initially told he was at a job site in Parramatta when they arrived to check he was staying at home as a Covid-positive individual. He was not at work, though, and was later found at a residence on Constitution Hill.
The investigation is still ongoing. In similar cases, authorities use data from Opal cards and surveillance cameras to track a person's travels.
Authorities are particularly concerned since many attendees do not believe Covid-19 is real and would refuse to be tested, making it difficult to detect and contain a spread.
NSW officials also disclosed the challenges they have in getting sick people to seek help and accept offers of alternate housing in health hotels to avoid infecting their family in multicultural south-west and western Sydney.
A 60-year-old lady from southwest Sydney died overnight and was rushed to hospital, underlining the difficulties in enlisting the assistance of people from ethnic groups that distrust authorities.
“I'm just struck by the tragedy of it,” Chant added, “that we've had a number of people who have presented to hospital severely ill and sometimes dead.”
“I just think people need to be aware that with Covid, things can quickly deteriorate.
“I believe our health-care system is among the best in the world. We do provide excellent care. There should be no obstacles in the way of individuals calling an ambulance, going to the doctor, or getting tested. We have a wealth of healthcare resources.
“Of course, there will be infection control and procedures in place to keep your staff safe. However, we will try to meet your needs and preferences. So please don't be hesitant to seek treatment and testing.”
Authorities are also having difficulty persuading family members to accept offers of quarantine in a healthy hotel. In recent days, a new hotel was rented to increase capacity for people with Covid-19 who are unable to separate themselves from other family members.
In the 24 hours leading up to 8 p.m. Thursday, there were 170 incidents, with 61 being home contacts and 16 being close contacts, mostly through businesses. The source of infection in 93 of the cases is being looked into.
According to Fuller, the 300 Australian defense force troops will be deployed by Monday or Tuesday to assist police in conducting Covid compliance checks on patients at home, which currently number in the thousands.
Although only some of them have been vaccinated, they will be provided with personal protective equipment and strict protocols to ensure that they are not put in danger. They will not enter homes and may rely on technology to verify that the person is present.
Hotel quarantine policing, logistics at the police operations center, and compliance during a 2020 border operation have all been assisted by the military.
The two million residents in the eight local government areas in western Sydney, which include Fairfield, Cumberland, and Canterbury-Bankstown, are unable to leave unless they are vital workers.
Masks must be worn at all times, including outside.
In the hospital, there are 187 Covid cases, 58 people in intensive care, and 24 people who need to be ventilated.
