The Northern NSW Local Health District has been notified of a number of new venues of
concern associated with a confirmed case of COVID-19.
Anyone who attended the following venues at the times listed is considered a casual
contact and must get tested and isolate until they get a negative result.
Ballina BIG W Ballina Cnr Kerr Street & Bangalow Road, Wednesday, 15 September,
11amto 11.45am
Ballina Coles Ballina Cnr Fox & Kerr Streets Thursday, 16 September, 10.45am to 11am
Ballina Northern Rivers Seafood 480 River Street Thursday, 16 September, 4.30pm to 4.50pm.
If you are directed to get tested for COVID-19 or self-isolate at any time, you must follow the rules given to you by Health staff, whether or not the venue or exposure setting is listed on the NSW Health website.
The Ballina 4Cyte Drive Through testing clinic is open this weekend – 39 River Street,
Ballina. Open 7am – 2pm daily, appointments not required.
There are more than 500 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW. Find a clinic at
COVID-19 testing clinics or contact your GP.
Recent stories, information and updates regarding 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. 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. The Northern NSW Local Health District says that to 4pm yesterday, 15 May, 384 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in the District, including 82 positive PCR tests and 302 positive rapid antigen tests. Volunteering Australia says volleys are the backbone of the country in times of crisis and emergency.
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These instances listed here precede the arrival (on September 18) of the positive case that put Byron and Tweed into lockdown.
Justine Elliott’s Facebook page also contains the following.:
“JUST IN – CASE ALERT
3:30pm, Thursday 23 September
NSW Health has confirmed a positive case of COVID-19 in the Tweed.
This person acquired their infection in the ACT.
UPDATE: The case has been in isolation throughout their time in Northern NSW. A small number of close contacts have been contacted directly by NSW Health, but there are no identified public venues of concern associated with this case.”
Given that the instances in Ballina occurred over 10 days ago, and Tweed was in lockdown on September 23, is it would be great if NSW health was a little more forthcoming with the details. As far as I am aware there was nothing about these mentioned at Gladys’ presser today though details of cases in other regions were mentioned.
I don’t want to pillory anyone or jump to conclusions but, with Byron and Tweed suddenly back in lockdown again after a short stint out, I think it’s reasonable that there be a public interest imperative applied to reporting here. As the reports seem to indicate that infection occurred outside the LGAs concerned, I think we are entitled to know the circumstances that are letting the virus in.