NSW has recorded 23 consecutive days without a locally-acquired COVID-19 case but authorities are still scambling to work out how a returned traveller from South America contracted the virus.
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Extensive investigations are continuing into the source of infection for the traveller who tested positive after being released from hotel quarantine in Sydney last week.
"All of this person's 10 close contacts have now tested negative to COVID-19," NSW Health said in a statement on Tuesday.
The mystery case was first reported on Sunday and some experts have warned that COVID could be spread through hotel ventilation systems.
The person from the Wollongong area returned two negative tests during their 14-day quarantine period at the Sofitel Wentworth hotel, but returned a positive result after being contacted on day 16 by NSW Health.
"NSW Health thanks this person for their co-operation in continuing to undertake a range of comprehensive COVID-19 testing as we work to understand the timing and nature of the infection," NSW Health said.
The person visited a number of venues in Wollongong and surrounding areas, last week as well as a cafe in Brighton Le Sands in southeast Sydney, before they were notified of the positive result late on Saturday night.
NSW Health has updated its alerts for people who attended two previously announced venues in the Wollongong area.
Meanwhile, NSW recorded no new locally-acquired cases in the 24 hours to 8pm on Monday from 7315 tests, while two cases were detected in people confined to hotel quarantine.
"Testing rates remain too low. High testing rates are vital to giving us the best chance of finding any new cases and preventing new chains of transmission from becoming established," NSW Health said.
NSW Health continues to screen passengers arriving on flights from Victoria and any person who arrives from Victoria by air or rail is required to complete a passenger declaration form.
A complete list of venues of concern, and the related health advice, is available at: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/latest-news-and-updates.
Australian Associated Press
