Thousands of Newcastle residents have lined up at testing clinics across the city after four positive cases attended a popular Newcastle nightclub, sparking a COVID-19 outbreak in the community.
All 680 people who checked in using QR codes at The Argyle House from 9 pm on Wednesday, December 8 to 3 am on Thursday, December 9 have been identified as close contacts after the four confirmed cases attended the venue while potentially infectious.
NSW Health has announced that 84 people linked to the nightclub have now tested positive for COVID-19, and a number of these confirmed cases are likely to be the new Omicron variant.
The Newcastle NEX has also been classified as a venue of concern after a positive case attended the University of Newcastle’s Fifth Year Medical Ball on Friday, December 10.
Anyone who attended this event is also considered a close contact.
NSW Health has instructed those who attended these venues between the specific times to get tested and isolate immediately.
Public Health Physician at Hunter New England Health Dr David Durrheim said NSW Health may provide updated advice regarding isolation requirements due to the
emerging evidence around the Omicron variant.
“NSW Health is also appealing for anyone who did not check-in using the QR code to also urgently get tested and isolate, and for their friends to ensure other potential attendees are aware of this advice.
“Given the high transmission of COVID-19 at the venue, we ask household contacts of anyone who attended to also immediately get tested and isolate until they and the close contact tests negative.
“This advice applies to everyone who attended the nightclub, even if they are fully vaccinated.”
The fully vaccinated who attended the venue between these times must self-isolate for seven days, and the unvaccinated are to self-isolate for 14 days.
Three of the patrons who attended The Argle House are linked to a party boat cruise on Sydney Harbour two weeks ago.
The party boat cruise has been the source of a few Omicron positive cases. NSW has now recorded 64 cases of the Omicron COVID-19 variant, with an increase expected after the Newcastle cluster.
State Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said he had every confidence that the community would get on top of the spread.
“With case alerts now being seen for many venues, please keep an eye on your Service NSW app, follow the health advice and look out for any symptoms.
“Many of us will be seeing vulnerable friends and family over this Christmas period, which makes it even more important to be tested no matter how slight the symptom is and ensure we keep our loved ones safe.
“We have heard a lot over the last two years that we are all in this together, and we all have a part to play in protecting each other by getting vaccinated if we can, getting tested if we display symptoms, and staying home if we are unwell.”
Additional venues around Newcastle have also been added to the alerts list, including The Grennroof Hotel, The Cambridge Hotel and Great Northern Hotel all on Friday, December 10 and Queens Wharf Hotel on Thursday, December 9.
Newcastle residents are being urged to continually check their Service NSW app check-in history, where alerts will be listed if a venue of concern has been visited.
More to come.
Hayley McMahon