Four new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) as of 8pm Tuesday, 31 March. This brings the total cases in the NNSWLHD to 42.
Responding to the crisis NNSWLHD is opening a a new COVID-19 clinic at Byron Central Hospital. The clinic will be open seven days s twee from 10am till 4pm daily.
‘The free clinic will welcome backpackers in the Byron Shire who have any COVID-19 – like symptoms, even if those symptoms are mild. NSWLHD will be working with agencies including Byron,’ said Wayne Jones, Chief Executive NNSWLHD.
Expanding target group
‘NNSWLHD will be working with agencies including Byron Shire Council to advertise the clinic and the expanded target group eligible for testing in order to connect with the backpacking community.’
This clinic will be in addition to three other COVID-19 clinics are located at Tweed, Lismore and Grafton hospitals, open from 10am-6pm.
MrJones said, ‘This is in addition to the current testing criteria for people presenting to COVID-19 clinics, which is people with respiratory symptoms or fever who meet one or more of the following criteria:
A close contact of a confirmed case
International travel in the 14 days prior to illness onset
A cruise ship passenger or crew member who has travelled in the 14 days prior to illness onset
A healthcare worker, aged care or other residential care worker
In a geographically localised area with elevated risk of community transmission.
‘It is vital that these respiratory clinics are not overwhelmed with people who are not in the high risk groups, which could result in delays identifying those most vulnerable.’
You do not need to phone ahead to attend the clinic however, people without symptoms do not need to be tested said Mr Jones.
Symptoms
The symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, headache, runny nose, or shortness of breath. Anyone with symptoms should isolate themselves from others.
Confirmed cases
There are 42 confirmed cases in NNSWLHD and of these four COVID-19 patients are being cared for in hospitals, one of these is in ICU elsewhere in NSW.
The likely sources of infection are: thirty-six cases were acquired overseas, two were through contact with a confirmed case or in a known cluster, two were contact not identified and two are still currently under investigation.
‘The Public Health Unit is following up close contacts of cases who are located within NNSWLHD, who are being asked to self-isolate for 14 days from last contact with the confirmed case,’ said Mr Jones.
‘They will be contacted daily to check that they are well and anyone who develops COVID-19 symptoms will be tested for the virus. If you are considered a close contact of a confirmed case, a Health officer will contact you directly.’
For advice and information about COVID-19 visit www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/diseases/Pages/coronavirus.aspx
Residents of NSW can also call new the 24-hour COVID-19 hotline on 13 77 88 for advice and support on non-health related enquiries.
For health related advice, please continue to liaise with your GP, or phone HealthDirect on 1800 022 222.
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