Tens of thousands of Sydneysiders are being urged to get tested for COVID-19 as contact tracers try to thwart the spread of the Delta variant before more restrictions are imposed.
Sydney is anxiously awaiting today's virus case numbers after a testing blitz over the weekend as a coronavirus outbreak linked to Westfield Bondi Junction - one of the city's biggest shopping centres - grew to nine.
Anyone who is showing symptoms or has been to an exposure site has been asked to get a test, but officials say the numbers aren't high enough and could force Premier Gladys Berejiklian to bring in more restrictions.
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Face masks for indoor venues and public transport have already been reintroduced.
"If people come out and get tested and we're confident anybody with symptoms has come forward for a test, then we can have a confidence that we can find the virus," Chair of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Jane Halton told Today.
"If people aren't coming out she will have no choice, particularly if we start to see a few more cases.
"All I can do is encourage anybody, sniffle, scratchy throat, anything get tested.
"Don't forget if you were in the shopping centre regardless of symptoms come out and get tested."
A second shopping centre is now also on alert.
Birkenhead Point Brand outlet in Drummoyne in the city's inner west has set up a testing site after a positive case visited.
https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fbirkenheadpoint%2Fposts%2F10159461711407790&show_text=true&width=500Ikea in Tempe, which is one of the locations visited by a positive case, has also set up its own testing centre.
A doctor who works at Wollongong Private Hospital has been diagnosed, sparking an alert for the Illawarra.
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People are also being urged to go and get vaccinated if eligible.
All over 50s in NSW can now arrange jabs through NSW Health or their GP, while over 40s can register to be sent an appointment in the coming weeks.
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