Covid-positive Sydney dad whose rule-breaking sparked cluster details harrowing consequences

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Tarek, from Granville in Sydney’s west, has tested positive to the virus.

His mother, wife, four children and three other relatives also have the virus because they invited a Covid-positive person into their home, breaking lockdown rules.

The man told 7 News the person was showing symptoms when they visited the home.

“I regret it. Not only putting myself in jeopardy but I put my whole family and kids in jeopardy,” he told the network.

Tarek has warned people not to make the same mistake. Picture: 7 News

Tarek has warned people not to make the same mistake. Picture: 7 NewsSource:Channel 7

He explained one of his daughters hadn’t eaten in days, his son was experiencing nose bleeds and the others have been knocked around by serious fevers.

The man’s brother and mother were being treated in hospital.

“Get vaccinated, stay home and be safe,” he said.

About 70 per cent of the state’s active Covid-19 cases are people younger than 40 and much of the transmission is occurring in household environments, health authorities have said.

NSW chief health officer Kerry Chant on Monday said the areas in Sydney worst hit by the outbreak had a “younger age profile”, which contributed to so many young people being affected.

Those areas also had larger household sizes than the rest of the city and more often had multiple generations of the same family living under one roof, she told a parliamentary hearing on Monday.

“Clearly the picture with Delta is that once it’s introduced to a household, it’s inevitable that everyone gets the Delta strain,” Dr Chant said.

NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said most of the transmission was happening in households. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said most of the transmission was happening in households. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De MarchiSource:News Corp Australia

Most transmissions to children have occurred in households, with some outbreaks at childcare centres, Dr Chant said.

NSW recorded 818 cases on Monday as the outbreak showed no sign of slowing down.

The state’s total of patients hospitalised with Covid-19 had grown by 195 in just one week, with 586 currently admitted.

Of the 586 in hospital, 100 people were in intensive care – 32 of whom required ventilation.

“Of the 100 cases in ICU, 87 of those people are not vaccinated, and the remainder have had their first dose of vaccine,” NSW deputy chief medical officer Dr Marianne Gale said.

Greater Sydney is now in its ninth week of a strict lockdown.