15 new COVID cases recorded linked to Sydney cluster

New South Wales authorities said Monday that Australian state h recorded 15 locally acquired cases of COVID-19 — half of previous day's count.

"Pleasingly, overnight, we did see a reduction in previous day's numbers," said Glys Berejiklian, Premier of New South Wales.

All 15 new cases were linked to so-called Avalon cluster, named after a community of about 10,000 people on rrn beaches about 40 kilometres (25 miles) from downtown Sydney.

Investigations are continuing into source of cluster, which w numbers 83 cases.

A record 38,578 tests were reported in New South Wales in 24 hours up to Sunday night - compared with 28,210 in previous 24-hour period.

This was highest number of COVID-19 tests ever performed in a single day.

" government is monitoring situation almost on an hourly basis. We will consider our position in relation to what Christmas and next few days look like beyond Wednesday," said Berejiklian.

All residents of Sydney's rrn beaches are currently under a stay-at-home order.

Until midnight Wednesday, y are only permitted to leave ir homes for five basic reasons: medical care, exercise, grocery shop, work or for compassionate care reasons.