Media condemned for naming Sydney ‘barbecue man’ at centre of Covid outbreak

The NSW chief health officer isn't happy the identity of last week's locally acquired COVID case has been leaked.

The SYDNEY man and his wife who have been infected with coronavirus have been gnomically linked to a returned traveller from the United States, however authorities still don't know how it was passed on.

Minister for Health and Medical Research Brad Hazzard says there’s a reason we don't name names.

"It’s the quickest way to destroy the confidence of all of us...to name a patient working with us to make sure the community is staying safe is absolutely appalling" said Mr Hazzard.

We don't name names.

In the meantime, contract tracers continue to investigate how the man in his 50's and his wife were infected.

NSW Chief Health Officer Dr. Kerry Chant says naming names could prevent people from being co-operative in the future.

"We rely on people sharing the most blow by blow descriptions...it’s not a good outcome from public health when this happens" said Dr. Chant.

Sydney's COVID restrictions are extended for another week, in effect until 12:01 am Monday May 17