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NSW notches week without local virus case

AAP
NSW has reached one week of no locally acquired cases but authorities say testing rates are too low.
Camera IconNSW has reached one week of no locally acquired cases but authorities say testing rates are too low.

NSW has recorded a full week without new locally-acquired COVID-19 cases as interstate travel restrictions on the state's residents begin to ease.

NSW Health said in a statement on Sunday that there were zero new local COVID-19 cases in the 24 hours to 8pm on Saturday, as well as three cases in hotel quarantine. The tally came from 11,343 tests.

But the department reiterated that testing rates remain too low and encouraged NSW residents to seek testing with even the mildest of symptoms.

Sewage testing also detected coronavirus fragments at Warriewood on the northern beaches and North Head, which takes in Manly. Recent sewage testing has also uncovered coronavirus fragments at Liverpool.

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"High testing rates are necessary to give confidence that no cases are going undetected in the community," Dr Christine Selvey said.

Victoria's border has reopened to almost all of Sydney, barring the Cumberland local government area.

All LGAs in Greater Sydney - as well as Wollongong and the Blue Mountains - were downgraded to "orange" on Victoria's health alert system from 6pm on Friday.

People travelling to Victoria from an "orange" zone will need to apply for a permit, get tested within 72 hours of their arrival and isolate until they receive a negative result - and they will not be barred from entering.

The Cumberland LGA takes in Berala, the centre of a 35-person virus cluster, and its residents remain locked out of Victoria.

Western Australia also relaxed border restrictions, with NSW residents no longer banned from entering the state. However travellers will still be required to self-isolate for 14 days and get a COVID-19 test.

Tasmania has also relaxed restrictions on large parts of Greater Sydney.

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