Five mystery coronavirus cases have emerged in Sydney s Northern Beaches
Close contacts must self-isolate and cannot mingle for Christmas or NYE
There are no known links to other confirmed Covid cases yet, NSW Health said
But QLD and WA could close borders again to protect residents from outbreaks
People are being told to wait 24 hours before booking holidays for advice
A spokesperson for the NSW Department of Education confirmed a corporate employee had tested positive for COVID-19. All staff in the Redfern office were directed to immediately self-isolate and work from home while contact tracing was under way.
Dr Chant said the virus had most likely been introduced to the area very recently, as local sewage testing had not shown traces of the virus.
Genome sequencing is under way to confirm the cases are linked, and NSW Health was investigating whether any of the cases had contact with people recently returned from overseas, including air crew who may live or stay in the area.
COVID Victoria updates: NSW coronavirus cases rise to five heraldsun.com.au - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from heraldsun.com.au Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Denmark begins shutting down nationwide
December 17, 2020 (Mainichi Japan)
The 16 bronze children surrounding the statue Nilen, (the Nile) are decorated with face masks in Copenhagen, on Dec. 16, 2020. (Liselotte Sabroe/Ritzau Scanpix via AP) COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) Denmark is shutting down nationwide, with shopping malls and department stores ordered to close as of Wednesday and small shops except for food stores and pharmacies told to shut as of Dec. 25. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the restrictions will apply until Jan. 3. Hairdressers and beauty shops will close as of Dec. 21. Frederiksen said she was deeply concerned about how it will go in the coming winter months, adding that Denmark s health care system is under pressure.
December 17, 2020
PARIS France’s Elysee Palace says President Emmanuel Macron has tested positive for COVID-19.
It said the president took a test “as soon as the first symptoms appeared.” The brief statement did not say what symptoms Macron experienced.
It said he would isolate himself for seven days. “He will continue to work and take care of his activities at a distance,” it added.
It was not immediately clear what contact tracing efforts were in progress. Macron attended a European Union summit at the end of last week, where he notably had a bilateral meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. He met on Wednesday with the prime minister of Portugal. There was no immediate comment from Portuguese officials.