Two new cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Northern NSW, both cases are close contacts of the man in his 50s who tested positive yesterday.
All three cases are currently being cared for at Lismore Base Hospital, and all are in a
stable condition.
Acting Chief Executive Northern NSW Local Health District, Lynne Weir, says that to date there have been no additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 among residents of Northern NSW Local Health District.
Northern NSW Local Health District has now been advised of the following close
contact locations in the region:
- Foodworks Shop 2/2 Byron St Bangalow 2479 Monday 2 August from 9.45 am to 11.15am
- Woolworths Byron Bay 106 Jonson St Byron Bay 2481 Wednesday 4 August from 2.30pm to 4pm
- Bangalow Pharmacy 23 Byron Street Bangalow 2479 Thursday 5 August from 11am to 11.30am
- Bangalow Pharmacy 23 Byron Street Bangalow 2479 Friday 6 August from 11am to 11.30am
- Japonaise Kitchen 2/25-27 Lawson St Byron Bay 2481 Friday, 6 August from 5pm to 5.30pm
- Harvest Cafe Village 18, 22 Old Pacific Hwy Newrybar 2479 on Saturday 7 August from 9.45am to 10.20am.
- Anyone who attended the above venues at the times listed is a close contact and must get tested and isolate for 14 days since they were there, regardless of the result.
NSW Health sends a text message to people who have checked in at close contact venues with further information. NSW Health will also make a follow-up call to close contacts to discuss the isolation and testing requirements.
If you have not received a text message, please call 1800 943 553.
As this situation evolves, these locations may be updated.
Under the current stay at home orders in place until 12.01am Tuesday 17 August, people in the four local government areas of Byron Shire, Ballina, Lismore and Richmond Valley must stay at home unless they have a reasonable excuse to leave.
They cannot have visitors in their home from outside their household, including family and friends. These rules apply to anyone who has been in these local government areas on or after Saturday 31 July.
If you must leave home, stay within your local area. Do not travel outside your local area if you can avoid it, and limit physical contact with people you do not live with.
Reasonable excuses to leave home are:
• To obtain food or other goods and services
o in your local government area, within 10km of your home if reasonably practicable
o for the personal needs of the household or for other household purposes (including pets)
o for vulnerable people
o only one person per household may leave the home to obtain food or other goods and services each day (you may take a dependent person with you if that person cannot be left at home on their own)
• leave home to go to work if
o you cannot reasonably work from home and
o the business is allowed to be open
• leave home for education if it is not possible to do it at home
• exercise and take outdoor recreation in the local government area you live in or 10km from your home
• go out for medical or caring reasons, including obtaining a COVID-19 vaccination.
More detailed information about the Stay at Home Orders, including a list of businesses that are closed, is available at: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/rules/affected-regions
Hospital visitor restrictions tightened
Visitor restrictions are being tightened at the health facilities within the four LGAs under stay at home orders: Byron Shire, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Ballina.
Visitors are not permitted at facilities within these LGAs, unless they receive an exemption from the health facility.
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 her labour, birth and post-delivery.
These changes do not apply to hospitals and health facilities in the LGAs not included in the stay at home order.
For exceptional circumstances we encourage visitors and families to discuss their individual needs with staff. We know these restrictions can be challenging, and we appreciate your understanding during this time.
Don’t delay getting tested
We urge people to come forward for testing at the first sign of any COVID-19 symptoms.
Already in the first 24 hours since this case was identified, we have seen increasing numbers of people presenting to our testing clinics.
There are more than 25 testing clinics across Northern NSW, and you do not need a referral to get a test. COVID-19 testing is free.
All the local testing clinics and their opening hours are listed on the NSW government website at: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/how-to-protect-yourself-andothers/ clinics or, you can also contact your GP.
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