An "inevitable" rise in COVID-19 cases in the region is being predicted over coming weeks, as two more positive tests on Friday bring the tally to seven.
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South East Regional Hospital medical services director Liz Mullins said on Thursday, she predicts "a large number of patients" will test positive to the disease over coming weeks.
"It is now in the community. It's not widely spread, but it will inevitably spread," Dr Mullins told local government on Thursday.
"That's the nature of this disease.'
Dr Mullins said she "wouldn't be surprised" if local cases were linked to cruise ships including the Ruby Princess, and said a number had been in contact with people who have recently travelled overseas. As of Thursday morning, seven residents have now tested positive in the Bega Valley.
"The direct link becomes less obvious the more it spreads into the community. We're probably two weeks behind Sydney [in infection rates]," she said.
It's not a competition, but if it were NSW has made sure we have put forward our best foot when it comes to supporting our health system.
- NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian
Dr Mullins said due to a concern those with the disease may be targeted by the public, details of towns in which they are currently undergoing self isolation will be kept confidential. She advised all residents to follow social distancing regulations when leaving their home for essential needs and washing their hands regularly.
Dr Mullins also requested the public make face masks to avoid a possible future shortage, and asked registered nurses and doctors not currently working to "get back on the payroll" at the hospital ahead of the predicted upsurge in admissions.
Earlier this week Dr Mullins said the health system does not have enough COVID-19 tests for the entire population, with the Southern Local Health District testing people with respiratory symptoms or fever who are at risk.
"We do not have the resources to test at the levels of Hong Kong and Singapore who tested communities," she said.
On Friday the health district said just over three per cent of the 226 local tests have returned a positive result.
The state's chief medical officer Dr Kerry Chant said on Friday, of the 1405 cases in NSW, 145 have been infected by unknown sources.
"That is the group that most concerns us, because it represents community transmission without a confirmed source," she said.
Dr Chant said the state does not "have a handle" on these transfers, and is currently analysing data including a decline in public travel smart card use and school attendances, and increases in intensive care cases and hospitalisations as it attempts to calculate a trigger point for further possible shut downs.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the state is at a "critical stage" of the pandemic, assured residents supermarkets and pharmacies will remain open, and said she does not support state border closures.
"We are able, to an extent control - well control is the wrong word because you can't control a virus, it's so virulent. But we've been able to contain the number of people that are very sick to a low number, and that's what we need to keep doing," she said.
"It's not a competition, but if it were NSW has made sure we have put forward our best foot when it comes to supporting our health system."
Ms Berejiklian said on Friday school attendance across the state is sitting at 10 per cent "or less", adding she expects the numbers to drop further.
School attendance at Bega Valley Public School sat at 17 on Thursday with half the school's teachers working offsite, planning or on leave. Supervision of students attending will continue, and enhanced cleaning measures are underway, the school said.
The state also announced a second wave of economic stimulus, with $1billion to focus on business and $74million to help the homeless, reduce energy bills and to support charities and mental health hotlines.
"Our expectation is that any relief provided by the NSW Government will be used to contribute to help businesses stay in business and people stay in jobs," treasurer Dominic Perrottet said on Friday.
NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association general secretary Brett Holmes said as more cases are diagnosed in regional areas, pressure is building on local health services.
"Please do not treat nurses, midwives and other health workers like they are infectious. These trained professionals should be respected and must not be abused, spat on or assaulted as they move through our communities, to and from their workplaces," he said.
Prime minister Scott Morrison joined an extraordinary G20 summit on Thursday night, hosted by Saudi Arabia's King Salman to discuss the group of nation's COVID-19 approach.
"Crucially, we agreed to expand manufacturing capacity for medical supplies to ensure these are made widely available, at an affordable price, on an equitable basis, where they are most needed and as quickly as possible," Mr Morrison said.
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