NSW records 8 COVID cases: Central Coast on alert after sewerage testing, some restrictions lifted

The state recorded eight locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm, with an additional eight cases in returned travellers in hotel quarantine.

Seven of the locally acquired cases are linked to the Avalon cluster. Investigations continue into the source of that cluster, which now numbers 97. Four of these cases are residents of the northern area of the Northern Beaches.

At a press conference on Wednesday Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced lockdown borders on the Northern Beaches would be adjusted to reflect the updated figures. She also pointed to "modest" changes to restrictions for some residents to allow for COVID-safe Christmas celebrations. People living north of Narrabeen Bridge remain in lockdown and from Thursday to Saturday they will be able to have five people from within that area visit their home.

While people in the southern part of the northern beaches will be allowed to have up to 10 guests to their home, who may come from outside of the region.

Eased restrictions will be also be in place across greater Sydney from Thursday to Saturday. Household gatherings will remain limited to 10 guests, but children under 12 years of age will not be included in the count.

Almost 140 venues in Sydney are now on the watch list following contact tracing, all can be found online here.

The eighth locally acquired case, reported yesterday but included in Wednesday's numbers, is a contact of the western Sydney healthcare worker involved in patient transport. The source of their infection remains under investigation.

Central Coast residents have been urged to continue getting tested if they have even the mildest COVID-19 symptoms, after the state's sewage surveillance program detected traces of the virus at a treatment plant in Kincumber on Monday, which serves the Gosford area.

The sewerage system includes the suburbs of Niagara Park, Narara, Lisarow, Wyoming, West Gosford, North Gosford, Somersby, Kariong, Point Clare, Tascott, Koolewong, Springfield, Erina, Terrigal, Wamberal, Forresters Beach, North Avoca, Avoca Beach, Copacabana, Macmasters Beach, Bouddi, Green Point, Yattalunga, Kincumber, Kincumber South, Bensville, Saratoga, Davistown, Empire Bay, St Huberts Island, Daleys Point, Killcare, Killcare Heights, Hardys Bay, Pretty Beach and Wagstaffe, in which about 140,000 people reside.

"We thank the community for following public health advice and continuing to come forward in high numbers to get tested as soon as even the mildest symptoms appear," a statement from NSW Health said.

"We also sincerely thank those who are self-isolating. We appreciate it is difficult, especially at Christmas, however it if you are a close contact, you must continue to self-isolate for 14 days since exposure, even if you receive a negative test result."

The total number of cases in NSW is now 4,616 since the beginning of the pandemic.

There were 41,865 tests reported to 8pm last night, compared to the previous day's record of 44,466.

More to come.