Cluster grows to 11 as Sydney records two new cases

NSW Health has confirmed two new locally acquired COVID-19 infections, bringing the total number of cases linked to the Bondi cluster to 11. One case is a woman in her 50s from Sydney's northern suburbs, who is a close contact of a previously reported case and has been in isolation.The second case is a man in his 30s from Sydney's eastern suburbs. He is also a close contact of a previously reported case and has been in isolation.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has flagged restrictions will likely be extended as Sydney’s outbreak of the highly-contagious Delta variant of Covid-19 continues to grow.

Speaking during Monday’s press conference, Ms Berejiklian revealed the current restrictions around masks for Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour, will likely be extended due to the rise in cases.

It comes as epidemiologist and World Health Organisation adviser, Professor Mary-Louise McLaws, told ABC radio NSW needs to take this outbreak of the Delta variant “very seriously”.

Professor McLaws also said masks should be made mandatory in all public areas for Greater Sydney.

She said if there are anymore than “one or two” new locally acquired cases then officials should seriously consider imposing a three-day lockdown.

“If the numbers go up any further we should really be thinking about a three-day lockdown,” she said.

Ms Berejiklian said the next few days would be critical for NSW, saying any further restrictions “will depend on what cases, if any, emerge in the next few days”.

She urged people with even the slightest symptoms to get tested so authorities can track down any underlying chains of transmission.

“We know everybody is tired. All of us are. We have to keep doing the right thing until we get the vaccine to majority of our population. This is what we have to live with,” the Premier said.