We’re sorry, this service is currently unavailable. Please try again later.
For our free coronavirus pandemic coverage, learn more here.
A-list celebrities were among the guests at Wednesday’s AACTA Awards who have been warned to monitor for COVID-19 symptoms after a hospitality worker at the Sydney Opera House event subsequently tested positive.
The employee of a food and beverage business was infectious on December 8, the night of the acting awards, and the following day while servicing events at the iconic building.
A-list attendees at last week’s AACTA Awards have been advised to monitor for COVID-19 symptoms. Credit:Steven Siewert
NSW Health has designated the venue as low risk and attendees are not considered close or casual contacts but have been contacted and told to monitor for symptoms. The variant carried by the worker has not been identified as Omicron.
Sarah Snook, Eric Bana, Taika Waititi, Deborah Mailman, Baz Luhrmann, Simon Baker, Rachel Griffiths and Rebel Wilson were among the celebrities who appeared at the awards night on Wednesday.
A Potts Point nightclub and a Parramatta pub were on Saturday deemed likely exposure venues to the Omicron variant, as NSW recorded its highest daily total of COVID-19 cases since lockdown restrictions were eased in October.
Of the state’s 560 new cases, three of those have the Omicron variant.
NSW Health believe a Sydney harbour party cruise on December 3 has led to the spread of COVID-19 across a number of venues.Credit:TikTok
There are 45 cases of Omicron across the state, 31 of which were locally acquired and 14 of which were acquired internationally or on a plane.
Nobody has been hospitalised in NSW with the Omicron variant to date, NSW Health’s Dr John Hall said in a Saturday morning update.
There are currently 150 people in hospital with COVID-19 across the state. Hospitalisation rates have remained steady since the start of the month, after peaking at 1245 people in September as lockdown restrictions began to ease.
NSW Health said that Cult Nightclub in Potts Point and Parramatta’s Albion Hotel had been visited by suspected cases of the Omicron variant of concern last weekend.
“Both venues have been visited by confirmed cases of COVID-19 linked to the previously reported outbreak on a party boat cruise on Sydney Harbour on Friday, December 3. It is likely some of these cases have the Omicron variant of concern,” the department said in a statement on Friday night.
Anyone at the Albion Hotel last Sunday from 4.30pm until closing time is a close contact, meaning they must test and isolate for seven days if fully vaccinated, and 14 days if not, under the current COVID-19 rules.
Anyone at the same venue on Friday or Saturday between 11pm and 3am, or Cult Nightclub between 9.45pm and 3am last Saturday, is a casual contact, meaning they must get tested and isolate until they have a negative result.
“There have also been recent outbreaks associated with the Golden Sheaf Hotel in Double Bay, the Oxford Tavern in Petersham and a party boat cruise. That is why it’s so important as the festive season approaches that everyone remains vigilant with gathering,” Dr Hall said.
The exposure information comes as NSW records 560 new cases of COVID-19, a jump from Friday’s 516 cases.
It was the highest daily figure since October 9, which was the weekend before Sydney’s months-long lockdown lifted.
NSW recorded three deaths with the virus.
The state’s vaccine rate continues to climb, with 93 per cent of the eligible population over 16 fully vaccinated and 94.7 per cent having had one dose.
Flow Fridays – the organisers of the harbour cruise that led to the outbreak – said its cruises will resume on Friday. Following the suspension of cruises directive by NSW Health on Tuesday, a team has focused on deep cleaning the vessel Cadman.
A company spokesperson said the cruise operated under all current COVID-19 rules, including all passengers and crew being double vaccinated.
“The outcome of the event was unfortunate and unforeseeable. Throughout this issue, Flow Fridays has worked closely and proactively with NSW Health to assist in every possible way, particularly with contact tracing,” the spokesperson said.
“It is pleasing to report that, following the outbreak, all our staff submitted to a COVID test and all results were negative.”
Stay across the most crucial developments related to the pandemic with the Coronavirus Update. Sign up for the weekly newsletter.
Copyright © 2021