A worker at two of Sydney's quarantine hotels has tested positive to COVID-19.
The new case is the first incident of possible community transmission in NSW in 25 days.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard confirmed to 2GB's Ben Fordham a woman who worked at two Sydney hotels had returned a positive result overnight.
She worked at the Ibis Hotel and Novotel in Darling Harbour, which was being used for police quarantine.
Contacting tracing is underway however Mr Hazzard said the woman's five family members have all been tested overnight and have returned negative results.
Mr Hazzard said it is yet to be determined where the woman contracted the virus.
"Genomic sequencing takes about 24 to 48 hours and that will give us the clarity as to where it's come from, whether it was the hotel or whether it was from some other source," he said.
The woman is from Minto, about 40km south-west of Sydney, and anyone living in the area has been advised to monitor closely for symptoms of COVID-19.
The positive case travelled from Minto to Central and on the Light Rail from Central to Darling Harbour "on a number of occasions" whilst potentially infectious, a spokesperson from NSW Health said in a statement.
"NSW Health will be asking people who travelled on the same services to get tested immediately and self-isolate, until further advised by NSW Health," the spokesperson said.
"The route and line details will be provided later today."
Mr Hazzard said anyone who visited the Ibis Hotel on November 27 or the Novotel on November 28, 29 or 30 should also get tested immediately.
https://omny.fm/shows/ben-fordham-full-show/positive-covid-19-case-in-sydney-after-26-days-of/embedMr Hazzard said the state is well prepared for new cases and said he was "confident" the source of the transmission would be identified.
"In the middle of a worldwide pandemic, it's a rollercoaster, you've got to expect that we will have more cases from time to time," Mr Hazzard told Today.
The news comes a day after the state's Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced a "major easing" of coronavirus restrictions yesterday.
Caps on the number of people allowed at hospitality venues will be lifted, and there is no limit to the number of people allowed at weddings or funerals.
The four-square-metre rule will become the two-square-metre rule on Monday, except for gyms and nightclubs.
Up to 100 people can attend an outdoor event such as a large family picnic and up to 50 people are allowed on a dancefloor at one time.
Ms Berejiklian warned it was the first time the state had moved "so quickly and fast" and restrictions would be tightened in the event of another major outbreak.
NSW Health also issued an alert last night after positive traces of COVID-19 were found in sewage from the Riverstone catchment.
https://twitter.com/NSWHealth/status/1334078723268591617People living in Riverstone, Vineyard, Marsden Park, Shanes Park, Quakers Hill, Oakville Box Hill, The Ponds, Rouse Hill, Nelson, Scofields and Colbee have been told to monitor for symptoms.
Authorities have confirmed today's positive case does not reside in that catchment area.
More to come.
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