COVID warnings for Blacktown City

Published on 13 July 2021

Blacktown City Council has been advised that a staff member from an organisation that operates in the Westpoint Centre in Blacktown has tested positive for COVID-19.

At the same time, Council has been advised that NSW Health’s ongoing sewage surveillance program has detected fragments of the COVID-19 virus in the Ropes Creek sewage treatment plant

The person who tested positive works in offices in the tower section of the Westpoint Centre and was at the centre from 8am until 1.30pm yesterday, Monday 12 July.

During that time, the individual used the office tower lifts, visited amenities and also visited five stores in the centre, namely:

• Subway – between 12:20pm and 12:35pm • Cotton On – between 1:00pm and 1:10pm • Espresso Warriors – between 1:10pm and 1:15pm • Cotton On Body – between 1:10pm and 1:20pm • Factorie – between 1:20pm and 1:30pm.

NSW Health has classified Westpoint, Blacktown as a place of interest, which means that anyone who visited the Centre between 12:00pm and 1:30pm on Monday 12 July should monitor for symptoms and if they occur get tested immediately and self-isolate until you receive a negative result.

The person’s employer immediately sent all staff working during this time home to be tested and undertook a deep clean of their tenancy overnight.

Westpoint Centre Management has undertaken a deep clean of the office tower foyer, all office tower lifts, the level 5 common mall area, all level 5 amenities and the Centre Management office.

The stores concerned have sent all their staff for testing and are also undertaking deep cleans.

NSW Health is also taking steps to identify any close contacts of the person who tested positive.

Meanwhile, NSW Health is urging people in the suburbs serviced by the Ropes Creek sewage plant to be especially vigilant for symptoms.

The plant serves about 77,000 people in suburbs including Minchinbury, Dharruk, Hassall Grove, Blackett, Bidwill, Plumpton, Oakhurst, Hebersham, Emerton, Ropes Crossing, North St Marys, St Clair, Oxley Park, Colyton, Mount Druitt, Rooty Hill, Lethbridge Park, Tregear, Whalan, Erskine Park, Shalvey, Willmot, Shanes Park, Marsden Park, St Marys and Eastern Creek.

While there are no known positive COVID cases in the area at this time, NSW Health is urging residents to get tested immediately if they have any cold-like symptoms, no matter how slight, and isolate until a negative result is received.

If you are directed to get tested for COVID‑19 or to self-isolate, please follow the rules and check the NSW Government website regularly.