The Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District has been excluded from a pause on all non-urgent elective surgery at public hospitals in the Greater Sydney area that will come into effect on Monday.
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In a statement, NSW Health said the move would "support the state's healthcare workers as they manage the demands of the COVID-19 response, providing increased capacity to support health services for the people of Greater Sydney".
No new COVID-19 cases were reported in the Illawarra on Friday but a Wollongong resident with the virus has now been hospitalised.
NSW recorded 170 new COVID cases in the 24 hours to 8pm Thursday, 52 of whom were in the community for at least part of their infectious period. While the figures had fallen from the previous day - when a record 239 cases were reported - Premier Gladys Berejiklian warned numbers could grow.
"Whilst there are so many people infectious in the community, we expect to see those numbers bounce around," Ms Berejiklian said.
But another Wollongong site has become a venue of concern.
Anyone who attended Sam and Nic's IGA Xpress in Cawley Street, Bellambi between 8am and 12pm on Monday, July 26, or 3.30pm and 6.30pm on Tuesday, July 27, is considered a casual contact of a COVID-19 case.
They must get tested immediately and isolate until a negative result is received.
Those whose date of exposure was within the last four days must also get another test on the fifth day after they attended.
The owners of the supermarket had already advised customers via social media on Thursday that they would close until further notice because of a visit from a COVID-19 case.
This week the Wollongong local government area has seen two residents test positive, who were close contacts of a previously announced case; four new linked cases, one of whom acquired the virus from a known Sydney case; and another resident whose infection is also linked to a Sydney case, but they are isolating outside the region.
Whilst there are so many people infectious in the community, we expect to see those numbers bounce around.
- Premier Gladys Berejiklian
Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
