No new locally acquired cases and no new overseas-acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night were recorded in the Northern Rivers region or across NSW.
There were 20,061 tests reported in NSW to 8pm last night, compared with the previous day’s total of 20,459.
‘NSW Health thanks the community, particularly those in northern NSW, for coming forward in large numbers for testing, as this is critical to detect and stop transmission of the virus,’ said the latest press release.
Updated exposure times – Byron
NSW Health has been notified of updated advice and/or revised exposure times for several previously announced venues in the Byron Bay region which were visited by confirmed cases of COVID‑19.
NSW Health is contacting known patrons directly to advise that anyone who attended the bar at the following venue at the time listed is considered a close contact and must immediately get tested and self-isolate for 14 days, regardless of the result.
Any other patrons who attended the hotel/motel during this time are considered casual contacts and must get tested and self-isolate until they receive a negative result:
Byron Bay |
Park Hotel/Motel pub/restaurant |
223 Broken Head Road, Suffolk Park |
Sunday 28 March 1.45pm – 2.10pm |
Anyone who attended the following venue(s) at the times listed is now considered a casual contact and must immediately get tested and self‑isolate until they receive a negative result. They should continue to monitor for symptoms and, if any occur, get tested again:
Suffolk Park |
Suffolk Park Bakery |
1/2 Clifford Street |
Saturday 27 March 12.45pm – 1.15pm and 2.45pm – 3.15pm |
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Suffolk Park |
Suffolk Park Bakery and Shopping Centre Plaza |
1/2 Clifford Street |
Sunday 28 March 10.30am – 11.45am |
Anyone who is planning to visit NSW from Queensland or who has been in Queensland in the last two weeks should check the Queensland Health website regularly, especially before any travel, and follow the public health advice if they were at any of the listed venues. People who are required to test and isolate should do so immediately.
A complete list of venues of concern and associated health advice, including links to the Queensland Health website, is available at NSW Latest COVID updates. Please check this page regularly, as advice is updated as further information becomes available.
Fragments of the virus that causes COVID-19 were detected in the sewage network at Homebush in a sample taken on 31 March.
NSW Health is not aware of any current positive cases in this area, but the catchment does include a quarantine facility. Cases were identified in this facility up until mid-March.
While it is most likely that this positive detection may be due to an old case shedding virus fragments, it does emphasise the need for everyone in the area to remain vigilant and get tested if any symptoms appear that could signal COVID-19.
Virus fragments in Lennox
There has also been a detection of virus fragments in a treatment plant at Lennox Head, near Byron Bay. This is due to the presence of a known positive case in the area.
NSW Health has significantly increased sewage surveillance in the Northern Rivers area. Other catchments, including Byron Bay, Tweed, Lismore, and Ballina, have tested negative in recent days.
NSW Health is continuing to adopt a cautious approach to minimise the risk of further transmission in the area and temporary restrictions remain in place in the local government areas of Tweed Shire Council, Ballina Shire Council, Byron Shire Council, and Lismore City Council until 11.59pm on Monday 5 April:
Vaccinations
NSW Health will now report the daily number of COVID-19 vaccines administered to 8pm the previous night. There were 6,956 COVID-19 vaccines administered by NSW Health in the 24 hours to 8pm last night. The total number of vaccines administered by NSW Health is now 124,345.