New South Wales has recorded six new coronavirus cases including a trainee bus driver who worked for three days while infectious, but health authorities say the infection risk to passengers is very low.
Of the six new cases recorded in the 24 hours to 8pm on Tuesday, one is a returned traveller in hotel quarantine and five are locally acquired with the source not yet identified.
These include a man and a woman in their 40s who live together in western Sydney, a man in his 60s and a woman in her 50s from southeastern Sydney and a woman in her 30s from Sydney.
Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said the trainee bus driver had limited contact with passengers while infectious.
"The risk to any passengers is very low," she told reporters on Wednesday.
The driver worked on the 20, 21 and 24 August in Blacktown, Rouse Hill and Mount Druitt in Sydney's west. Passengers who came in contact with the driver have been advised to monitor for symptoms and immediately self-isolate if they develop.
Two of the other new cases attended City Tattersalls Fitness Centre on Pitt Street on 19, 21 or 23 August, NSW Health said. The gym has been closed for cleaning. One of those cases also attended the Royal Hospital for Women in Randwick and Windscreens Cafe at the facility on 25 August.
One case also worked at 300 George Street in the CBD on 19, 20, 21 or 24 August while infectious, while the Apple store at the Broadway shopping centre was also exposed to the virus on 22 August between 3.40pm and 4.40pm.
People who attended those venues during those times are urged to be alert for symptoms.
A further health alert was issued on Wednesday evening, advising that anyone who attended the 7:40pm Active Dance class at Virgin Gym in Zetland on 24 August was considered a close-contact of a confirmed case and should immediately isolate.
People who attended the gym from 7.30 to 10pm the same day should also monitor for symptoms, a NSW Health spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller says all 366 people who were quarantined in a Travelodge Hotel in Sydney have been relocated after it failed to comply with COVID-19 health and safety standards.
Mr Fuller said there was an escalation in complaints about the hotel's cleanliness in the past week which prompted police to take action on Tuesday.
"They're off the list and that's the most important thing," he told reporters.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the government took full responsibility for the situation.
Guests departing Sydney's Travelodge under police guard on 25 August, 2020. Source: Getty
"Look, simply at the end of the day, the buck stops with us," he told Nine's Today show on Wednesday.
"It's our process, to find out what has gone wrong. The public don't want cases to arise."
Meanwhile, three Sydney schools were closed on Wednesday due to possible cases of students with COVID-19, the Education Department said.
Riverstone High School, Wyndham College, both in Sydney's northwest, and Schofields Public School in the west, are being deep cleaned while coronavirus tests for the students concerned are processed.
Dr Chant said one Year 12 student had returned a positive result and would be included in Thursday's case numbers.
One student had an "equivocal" result and will be tested again while two other students returned negative results but would be tested again for extra precaution.
HSC trial exams at Wyndham College will be rescheduled and the school is contacting students who were due to take their HSC drama performance trial on Wednesday.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian reiterated that while COVID-19 case numbers have been low in recent weeks, the state was still in a battle against the virus.
"Whilst we have been doing well the last few weeks we are by far not out of the woods yet," she told reporters on Wednesday.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.
If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
