After fragments of the virus that causes COVID-19 were detected at Lennox Head and Ballina sewage treatment plants, Northern NSW Local Health District is urging people with even the mildest of symptoms to get tested.
Acting Chief Executive Ms Lynne Weir said while no new confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported among residents of the District, these detections indicated the virus could be circulating in the area.
‘It remains very important that anyone who has any symptoms or is a close or casual contact of a person with COVID-19, isolates and is tested immediately,’ she said
‘Testing and contact tracing are amongst the most effective tools for controlling spread of the virus.
‘When testing clinics are busy, please ensure you stay in line, identify yourself to staff and tell them that you have symptoms or are a contact of a case.’
As well as being present in stools, viral fragments can enter the sewer when washed off hands and bodies through sinks and showers. Usual sewage treatment processes inactivate, or kill, the COVID-19 virus.
Positive detections were found in samples from 12 August at the Lennox Head sewage treatment plant, which serves about 7,700 people, and the Ballina plant, which serves about 31,100 people.
Hospital visitor restrictions tightened
To protect patients and staff, visitor restrictions are being tightened at all health facilities across the Northern NSW Local Health District.
‘Visitors are not permitted at facilities across the District unless they receive an exemption from the health facility,’ said Ms Weir.
‘An example of an exemption would be for compassionate reasons related to a patient receiving end-of-life care. Any visitors who receive an exemption will need to comply with the entry and screening requirements, including checking in with QR codes and wearing a mask.
‘Women accessing birthing services can nominate one support person during labour, birth and post-delivery, without requiring an exemption.’
Ms Weir also reminded people to follow the stay-at-home orders that now apply across NSW. ‘Everyone must stay at home unless they have a reasonable excuse to leave. They also cannot have visitors in their home from outside their household, including family and friends. For detailed information, visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/rules.
There are more than 440 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW, many of which are open seven days a week.
To find your nearest clinic visit: www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/how-to-protectyourselfand-others/clinics or contact your GP.
NNSWLHD is also urging people to check the Commonwealth Government’s https://www.health.gov.au/resources/apps-and-tools/covid-19-vaccine-eligibilitychecker and, if eligible, to book an appointment for a vaccination as soon as possible.
Recent stories, information and updates regarding COVID-19
New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Life shows life expectancy in Australia has decreased slightly for the second year in a row. An international team of researchers has found more evidence that COVID-19 came from animals in a Wuhan food market. The lab-leak theory that Covid-19 came from the Wuhan Institute of Virology – instead of a nearby wet market – was thrashed about in public recently, with the US Senate Homeland Security Committee holding a hearing into Covid-19. 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 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. 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. 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. Masks will no longer be mandatory on public transport from tomorrow, Wednesday 21 September. 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. 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.
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