A Daily Mail story is claiming that ‘Byron Bay emerges as a coronavirus red zone’ with locals told to get tested ‘IMMEDIATELY’ for deadly COVID-19 even if their symptoms are mild.
The story goes on to say that ‘NSW Health has identified Byron Bay as a potential target for a rise in infections’ and that ‘while it only has 16 cases it is more than any other northern NSW council’, continuing with ‘Health authorities urged people in the town to get tested if they have symptoms’.
Echonetdaily spoke to Northern New South Wales Local Health District (NNSWLHD) reps over the weekend who said that anyone in areas of concern for community transmission in NSW who is feeling unwell with a fever and cough, should present to a local COVID-19 clinic or their local GP for testing. But, Byron Bay is not the only area of concern for community transmission, it is one of at least 11 other areas which may have a higher risk.
NNSWLHD urges anyone who is feeling unwell to present for testing
Areas of concern for community transmission in NSW are listed on the NSW Health website, including in Blacktown, Byron, Cumberland, Greater Taree (Manning), the Inner West, Lake Macquarie, Liverpool, Penrith, Randwick, Ryde, Waverley, and Woollahra and NSW Health urges anyone in those areas who are feeling unwell with a sore throat, cough or fever to present for testing.
In other areas, NSW Health recommends COVID-19 testing be focused on people with one or more of the key symptoms and risk factors such as contact with cases or medical history.
Doctors may also recommend testing if there is other clinical or risk information that makes COVID-19 more likely.
Testing on people with no symptoms cannot predict whether or not the person will become unwell after exposure to a confirmed case.
Recent stories, information and updates regarding COVID-19
Fresh air federal funds for Northern Rivers schools in need
Eighteen schools in the Northern Rivers division of Richmond have received $25,000 each as part of the federal government’s School Upgrade Fund, Labor Member for Richmond Justine Elliot said last week.
COVID-19 pandemic has cut life expectancy globally
COVID-19 reversed earlier trends toward longer life expectancies. During the pandemic, life expectancies globally dropped by 1.6 years according to a new study published in the Lancet medical journal.
COVID-19 update for New South Wales
Let’s not forget that Covid-19 is still a big issue in our community with 31,935 cases reported across Australia in the last week – an average of 4,562 cases per day.
Five graphs you need to see before the Global Carbon Budget...
The Global Carbon Budget is about to be refreshed, giving the world a critical insight into how efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are (or are not) progressing.
Public transport mask mandate to end
Masks will no longer be mandatory on public transport from tomorrow, Wednesday 21 September.
NSW Police: be COVID-vigilant at Splendour in the Grass
SW Police are urging festival-goers at this weekend’s music festival to celebrate in a safe and responsible manner, whilst also being aware of COVID-Safety measures.
COVID-19 update for the NNSWLHD – May 23
The Northern NSW Local Health District reports that to 4pm yesterday, Sunday May 22, there were 40 COVID-19 positive patients in hospital in Northern NSW, with one of these in ICU.
AEC says COVID voters can phone from home
The AEC says that voters who have recently tested positive for COVID-19 will be able to phone in their vote in the federal election.
Do I detect an implied criticism here of the ‘Daily Mail’ with suggestions of sensationalism and fear monger in? Is there anything in the material you have quoted that is inaccurate?
I think its ironic that the Dail Mail – which is not known for accurate journalism – is doing a better job of covering this story than the Echo ! Why isn’t the Echo asking how many cases there really are in Byron ? The NSW health department specifically says on its website “Cases without a valid NSW residential address are not shown” which could cover an awful of visitors who are unfortunate enough to be in a place its hard to socially distance.
Byron Bay local GP’s regard Byron Bay as being a “hot spot” for COVID 19. Following is a quote from the website of one of these medical clinics “While community transmission has not yet been confirmed, there are some cases with an unidentified link to a likely source of transmission and/or the locality is popular with higher risk groups such as backpackers.”
What exactly is the point of your article?
Are you suggesting that Byron Bay has been maligned?