Not the time to be complacent about Covid – get tested, urges NSW Health

NSW Health is asking anyone who might have even mild cold-like symptoms including a runny nose or sore throat to get tested for Covid as testing numbers continue to fall.

“Don’t wait to see if your runny nose or sore throat goes away,” a NSW Health spokesman told the Post this morning.

“Experience has shown us how easily the virus can spread through the community if we let down our guard. Anyone with even mild symptoms should get tested on the day they get symptoms, otherwise we will miss cases.”

The call to get tested comes as tests carried out dropped to 6040 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared with 6226 across NSW in the previous 24 hours.

“This shows too few people are coming forward for testing,” said the spokesman. “With restrictions being eased and borders reopening, now is not the time to be complacent.

“Experience has shown us how easily the virus can spread through the community if we let down our guard.

“Anyone with even mild symptoms should get tested on the day they get symptoms, otherwise we will miss cases. Don’t wait to see if your runny nose or sore throat goes away.”

NSW Health is treating 75 COVID-19 cases, none of whom are in intensive care. Most cases (96 per cent) are being treated in non-acute, out-of-hospital care, including returned travellers in Special Health Accommodation.

NSW recorded no new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night but six cases were reported in overseas travellers, bringing the total number of cases in NSW since the start of the pandemic to 4431.

Pic by Martin Lopez