Update
Sutherland Shire Council says a childcare worker at one of its centres who tested positive to COVID-19 "was not present at the centre during the period they were contagious".
The council was responding to reports today that a staff member at Franklin Road Early Education Centre at Woolooware had tested positive for coronavirus.
Parents whose children attend the council-owned centre received a message overnight to say a worker had tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday.
"Sutherland Shire Council wishes to reassure staff and families at our Early Education Centre at Franklin Road, Woolooware, that the centre remains safe [and] free from any links to COVID-19," a spokesman said.
"A worker who last attended the centre on Monday, July 13, has tested positive to COVID-19, however NSW Health have advised that this member of staff was not present at the centre during the period in which they were contagious.
"All council-operated early education centres are subject to an extensive daily cleaning regime, including a three-hour nightly clean and routine cleaning throughout the day, which NSW Health has advised are appropriate measures to combat the spread of the virus and ensure each centre can remain open.
"Council has ensured that staff and families at the centre have been kept informed of any updates from NSW Health, and we understand this is a concerning time.
"Council continues to work closely with NSW Health as the lead public health agency as they investigate any suspected cases of COVID-19 among those who have been present at council-run facilities, and is taking all necessary steps to minimise the risk of transmission among the community.
"We will continue to keep local residents informed so that they may continue to access our community facilities with confidence.
"Members of the public are reminded of the need to do their part in protecting against the spread of COVID-19 by continuing to follow advice from NSW Health, observe social distancing, self-isolate if they are feeling unwell and get tested if they are experiencing symptoms."
Earlier
A worker at a Sutherland Shire Council-run childcare centre has tested positive for coronavirus and Hazelhurst Arts Centre at Gymea is closed after a patron visited the cafe.
Parents whose children attend the council-run Franklin Road Early Education Centre at Woolooware received a message from the centre overnight to say a worker had tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday.
It is thought to be one of two new cases in southern Sydney that NSW Health reported at its daily COVID-19 press conference yesterday.
"Council are keen to be open and transparent about any cases that involved their services," the advice read.
"For this reason they shared the news that a worker had tested positive, however through direct liaison with NSW Public Health directors we have been advised that the case has no risk to the centre.
"The centre remains operational and will be open as normal [on Monday]."
But some parents expressed concern on social media about whether it was in fact safe to send their child back to childcare, given a worker was infected with the virus.
The Leader has asked Sutherland Shire Council to comment on the matter.
Meanwhile, a Sutherland Shire Council spokesman said the council-run arts centre would remain closed today after a "possible COVID-19 case" visited the centre's cafe on Thursday, July 16.
"In response to reports from NSW Health of a possible COVID-19 case in a visitor to Hazelhurst Arts Centre, Sutherland Shire Council has taken the proactive decision to close Hazelhurst Arts Centre ... on Monday, July 20, pending further advice from NSW Health as they conduct further investigation into the incident," he said.
Sutherland Shire Mayor Carmelo Pesce urged residents to remain calm yet vigilant and said the suspected COVID-19 case served as a reminder of the need to continue to strictly observe appropriate health measures.
"I wish to reassure all residents of the Sutherland Shire that Council is keenly focused on protecting the health of patrons and staff at Hazelhurst, and we are working closely with NSW Health as the lead agency to take all necessary precautions before the facility can be safely reopened," Councillor Pesce said.
"While we await further advice from NSW Health, I would advise local residents to continue to observe social distancing, self-isolate if they are feeling unwell and get tested if they are experiencing symptoms."
It is a blow for the centre, which only reopened on June 22 after a three-month closure caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
It comes as NSW Health yesterday urged people to avoid all unnecessary travel and gatherings, and especially crowds, after 18 new cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed in the 24 hours to 8pm on Saturday, including two in southern Sydney.
The two southern Sydney cases are under investigation and there are currently no known links to existing cases.
NSW Health said it was particularly concerned about community transmission in hotels, restaurants and gyms, as well as at social gatherings, and asked people to restrict visitor numbers in the home to 10, despite current restrictions allowing up to 20 visitors.
People have been asked to avoid going anywhere crowded and remain 1.5 metres from people at all times, and consider wearing a mask in situations where social distancing cannot occur.
NSW Health has also asked people to take special care in gymnasiums and venues, such as pubs, clubs and restaurants.
"Don't go to the gym unless the equipment is thoroughly cleaned before and after customer use by supervising staff or yourself, and there is good spacing between machines and customers," NSW Health said.
"Venues must have a COVID Safe plan, and ensure physical distancing between customers and staff, good hand hygiene, and check that no staff come to work with symptoms.
"Don't host, or go to, a gathering of more than 10 people at home."
Anyone with even mild symptoms such as a runny nose or scratchy throat are asked to seek testing for COVID-19 at one of the NSW Health run centres or through their local GP.
