17.06.2021
2 min read

NSW COVID-19 case puts Harris Farm, Leichhardt shoppers on alert

Anyone who attended the store is advised to immediately call NSW Health, get tested and self-isolate.

Sydney woman in her 70s tests positive for COVID-19 after visiting Vaucluse cafe

New South Wales is once again on high alert after a coronavirus outbreak in Sydney’s eastern suburbs grew to three cases.

On Thursday afternoon, NSW Health issued fresh advice for shoppers at a supermarket in Sydney’s inner west.

Anyone who attended Harris Farm in Leichhardt on June 15 between 9.50am and 10.05am is advised to immediately call NSW Health on 1800 943 553, get tested and self-isolate.

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The alarm about the latest outbreak was sounded on Wednesday night when NSW Health discovered a man in his 60s and his wife had tested positive for COVID-19.

The Bondi man works as a limousine driver, transporting international flight crews.

File image of Harris Farm in Leichhardt. Credit: Harris Farm

A third person - a woman in her 70s - tested positive after visiting one of his exposure sites - the Belle Cafe in Vaucluse.

A man in his 40s also tested positive in the Baulkham Hills area, in Sydney’s northwest, however, NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant cautioned this might be a false positive or an old case as the viral load in his system was very low.

The exact source of the man’s infection is unknown but Chant said his viral sequencing results matched a version of the highly contagious Delta variant circulating in the US.

Authorities believe he has been infectious since last Friday.

The outbreak could mean NSW reintroduces some restrictions ahead of the school holidays which begin on June 26.

‘Be extra careful’

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian urged everyone to be cautious, warning that two cases could quickly become 20.

“Unless you absolutely have to attend a large gathering, unless you absolutely have to engage in activities of a social nature ... we ask everybody to refrain from that.”

“Be extra careful, make sure you hand sanitise and socially distance.”

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian addresses media. Credit: DAN HIMBRECHTS/AAPIMAGE

“Assume that everybody you’re in contact with has the virus and assume you have the virus yourself - that’s the best advice we can give you.”

Those catching public transport are advised to wear masks and extra pop-up testing clinics have been set up in Sydney’s east.

For a full list of exposure sites, visit the NSW Health website.

- with AAP