Deputy Premier John Barilaro briefs regional media. Photo: Kim Treasure.
UPDATED 2:20 PM: Southern NSW Local Health District authorities say there are no venues of concern for Batemans Bay at this stage but investigations are ongoing.
In a statement on Facebook, SLHD said: “Our contact tracing team is working closely with the case who is quite ill as a result of their COVID-19 infection. Close contacts have already been notified.
“There is some concern about venues in Cooma and Goulburn that were not listed as venues of concern. NSW Health only lists venues of concern if there is a chance that a member of the public came into contact with a person who was infectious with COVID-19. Closed workplaces, for example, are often not listed as our public health team has already contacted all close or casual contacts early in the investigation.
“We understand how important clear and timely communication is at a time like this. Rest assured, we will always share case and venue of concern information as soon as we can. Contact tracing and case interviews can be complex and can sometimes take days to complete.
“Our teams are working long hours to thoroughly investigate every case to keep the community safe. Thank you for your patience and your support.”
1:30 PM: Mystery continues to surround the first case of COVID-19 recorded in the Batemans Bay area for more than a year.
Member for Bega Andrew Constance revealed the existence of the case on Monday (6 September) morning but more than 24 hours later the community still has no idea whether the person was infectious in the community.
Briefing regional media today (7 September), Deputy Premier John Barilaro said it was a “complex issue” and health authorities would reveal more details “when they can”.
Pressed by Region Media about the level of community angst being caused by the lack of information, Mr Barilaro conceded that rumours would fill any vacuum and said he would push for more details to be released “sooner rather than later”.
“I understand the anxiety is worse around not knowing, than knowing,” he said.
“I have been told some of the scenario and what it looks like. There could be concerns and we need to get that out there sooner rather than later.”
There are no NSW exposure sites from yesterday’s cases in Queanbeyan and Googong, while the Goulburn, Yass and Cooma venues were released yesterday.
A case from Cooma, uncovered after 8:00 pm on Sunday, was included in today’s NSW numbers, which reached 1220. Eight people died in the state during the reporting period.
The venues are:
- The Reject Shop, Goulburn, 3 September, 11:20 am to 11:30 am;
- Coles, Goulburn Shopping Centre, 1 and 3 September, 7:45 pm to 8:00 pm and 11:15 am to 12:10 pm respectively;
- First Choice Liquor, Goulburn, 3 September, noon to 12:25 pm;
- Caltex, Goldsmith St, Goulburn, 5 September, 10:25 am to 10:40 am;
- Free Choice Tobacconist, Goulburn, 5 September, 10:20 am to 10:25 am;
- Old Pacific Inn, Goulburn, 10:40 am to 11:00 am;
- Smokemart, Goulburn, 5 September, 10:10 am to 10:20 am;
- Woolworths, Sloane St, Goulburn, 5 September, 8:45 am to 10:15 am;
- Shell West, Cooma, 30 August, 7:45 am to 8:15 am;
- STIHL Shop, Cooma, 1 September, 9:00 am to 10:00am;
- Goulburn Tyre & Exhaust Centre, 2 September, 10:00 am to noon;
- IGA Yass, 2 September, 4:00 pm to 4:30 pm;
- Caltex Yass, 4 September, 4:15 pm to 4:45 pm.
Anyone who checked in to a venue of concern during the times listed, using the Service NSW QR app, will be notified by SMS from NSW Health. Contact the Public Health Unit on 02 4825 4944 if you were at one of the venues during the times listed above, but have not already been contacted by SMS or phone call.
Asked about grey nomads from Batemans Bay lining up for vaccinations in Wilcannia, Mr Barilaro said it was a concern to hear of people travelling that distance during lockdown.
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