SAWT BEIRUT INTERNATIONAL

| 29 March 2024, Friday |

Australia’s largest state reports first COVID-19 case in more than a month

Australia’s most populous state of New South Wales (NSW) reported on Wednesday its first locally acquired coronavirus infection in more than a month, which saw authorities rushing to trace the source of the virus.

Authorities said a man in his 50s who tested positive for COVID-19 had visited a movie theater, restaurants, a meat store and a service station in Sydney’s eastern suburbs while unknowingly infectious.

Kerry Chant, NSW state Chief Health Officer, told reporters in Sydney that the man has not traveled overseas in recent times and does not work in any high-risk jobs such as in hospitals or hotel quarantine.

“So all of the usual routes where we would expect someone to have acquired the infection are not clear,” Chant said. Close contacts have been asked to undergo tests and self-isolate.

Australia has largely contained the COVID-19 outbreak through border controls, snap lockdowns and speedy contact tracing systems, with just over 29,800 infections and 910 fatalities since the pandemic began. It has recorded zero cases most days this year.

    Source:
  • Reuters