Police establish formal investigation into Maroubra party at heart of COVID-19 cluster

NSW Police have established a strike force to investigate an illegal house party in Maroubra blamed for a cluster of 81 COVID-19 cases.

The party on August 14 was attended by up 60 people, according to the state government, including a number from the 12 local government areas of concern.

People exercising at Maroubra Beach. A party in the beachside suburb has led to 81 infections. Credit:Kate Geraghty

NSW Health said the gathering, held in breach of COVID-19 restrictions, has so far led to 20 confirmed cases among guests who have then infected 61 close contacts.

Health officials have been conducting contact tracing investigations into the event and NSW Police have not yet charged or fined any attendees.

On Monday, a spokeswoman for NSW Police said Strike Force Travelstop had now been formed by Eastern Beaches Police Area Command officers and investigations were underway.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard criticised people attending illegal gatherings and urged them to consider the consequences.

“Each of these people who are going to these functions must understand that they run the risk of either having the virus and transmitting it or getting the virus and taking it home to their families and their communities,” he said.

“There is no time now to be selfish. It’s time to think of the broader community and your families. If you are actually spreading the virus, you could be responsible for people’s deaths.”

The cluster linked to the party has fuelled concerns about growing infections in Randwick and surrounding areas.

People in parts of the eastern suburbs have been granted priority access to Pfizer vaccines as authorities scramble to stem the growing infection numbers.

South Eastern Sydney Local Health District urged Randwick residents on Sunday to book for their priority Pfizer jab at the Brighton-Le-Sands clinic at the Novotel Hotel.

With Alexandra Smith

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Fergus Hunter is a crime reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.

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