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August 29, 2026

COVID-19 update: 5 new cases in the NNSWLHD

Latest News

How can we keep paying for incompetence

The only way forward is going backwards. That’s how I explain the current situation of Byron Shire Council. The...

Other News

50-metre Olympic-sized pool

We definitely need an updated 50m swimming facility closer to Tweed Heads. My preference is an outdoor facility. The...

Call to keep Bangalow Showgrounds in community hands

The Bangalow Park Trust, a volunteer community group that have successfully run the Bangalow Showgrounds since at least the 1950s, say they just want to get on with managing the showgrounds and don’t want Byron Shire Council to take over their role.

New research highlights pressures facing Northern Rivers community organisations

More than 50 representatives from grassroots organisations across the Northern Rivers came together at Bangalow A&I Hall last week for the Northern Rivers Community Sector Sustainability Summit.

Ocean Shores golf winners

The Ocean Shores division one team won the clubs first ever NRDGA division one pennant flag.

Rail and community consultation

The first stage of the Casino to Murwillumbah railway was opened in 1894 and shortly after the line was...

Byron Bay fights for its low-rise character as 16m to 21m height breaches loom

Urgent questions are being raised about Byron Bay’s future as the NSW government increasingly uses fast-tracked planning pathways that can allow major developments to bypass or vary local planning controls, including height limits, raising concerns about how Byron’s unique character, built environment, and community expectations will be protected.

Northern NSW Local Health District, Acting Chief Executive, Lynne Weir, says there were five new cases of COVID-19 reported for the District to 8pm last night, 21 October.

‘Of these, two cases are in the Kyogle Local Government Area (LGA), both linked to previously reported cases and have been in isolation throughout their infectious period.

‘One case is in the Clarence Valley LGA, a household contact of a previously reported case, and has been in isolation while infectious.

‘Two cases are in the Tweed LGA, both linked to a previously reported case, and are under investigation to determine any possible public venues of concern.’

There have now been 111 total cases reported in NNSWLHD since the Delta outbreak began in Sydney on 16 June.

Ms Weir said two cases are being cared for in hospital, one in Intensive Care. ‘Even if you are fully vaccinated you should get tested and isolate immediately if you have even the mildest of COVID-19 symptoms – a slightly runny nose, a scratchy or sore throat or generally feeling under the weather.

‘As restrictions continue to ease in NSW and we transition to living with COVID-19, it is vital that people continue to practise COVID-safe behaviours such as wearing a mask where required, maintaining physical distancing, particularly in indoor settings, maintaining hand hygiene, and always checking in using the Service NSW app.’


Recent stories, information and updates regarding COVID-19

COVID-19 reduces Australian life expectancy

New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Life shows life expectancy in Australia has decreased slightly for the second year in a row.

Wuhan market increasingly likely origin point for COVID-19

An international team of researchers has found more evidence that COVID-19 came from animals in a Wuhan food market.

Editorial – There’s a bat in my lab! 

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. 

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.



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Greens urged to back pathway to end native forest logging

Some of NSW’s most respected and long-standing forest campaigners and scientists have today urged the Greens not to support the Nationals' attempt to disallow the Improved Native Forest Management (INFM) method.

Ballina Council makes decision on Ross Lane

With the absence of all four of its progressive councillors for various reasons, Ballina Council pushed ahead with its agenda at yesterday's monthly meeting, including a decision which is likely to close Ross Lane for months while the road is upgraded.

Mullumbimby puts new governance models first, and now wants to build it

Imagine Northern Rivers says Mullumbimby is the only community across the region to rank new models of governance and decision-making as the number one element of its preferred future, and last week locals gathered to work out how to make it real.

Appeal to locate man missing from Broadwater

Police are appealing for public assistance to help locate a local missing man.