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July 12, 2026

COVID update: Three new cases in the NNSWLHD

Latest News

Deadly weaving at Lismore gallery

Eighteen months ago, a group of First Nations artists from the Northern Rivers came together at the Lismore Regional Gallery as part of the Gathering Space project.

Other News

As NSW govt boasts its support for festivals, let’s dive into where they haven’t

The NSW government today spruiked that Casino's CBD will host one of Australia's great transport events after Casino Truck Show secured funding under the state government's 2026/27 Regional Event Fund.

Alleged Lennox Head native tree removal sparks calls for action

A Ballina Greens councillor is calling on the government agencies to act immediately over claims that native clearing is occurring on a private property in Lennox Head.

Evelyn Araluen on coming home to Country

Byron Writers Festival interviews prize-winning poet Evelyn Araluen who will present her new poetry collection, 'The Rot', at the 2026 Byron Writers Festival.

Cudgen Connection approved by NRPP

A contentious $300 million proposal on State Significant Farmland (SSF) next to the Tweed Hospital has been recommended for approval by The Northern Regional Planning Panel (NRPP). The Cudgen Connection decision came in late yesterday, after years of deliberations, opposition and political commitments to protect the SSF. It is located at 741 Cudgen Road.

Lismore households throwing away $670,000

Lismore City Council says Lismore households recently threw away an estimated $670,000 by placing eligible drink containers in their kerbside bins instead of claiming their refund, while almost half the contents of red-lid general waste bins could have been recycled or composted.

Longboard titles return to Tweed July 24–30

Billed as the 'longest running event on the Australian surfing calendar', the Thermos Australian Longboard Titles will return for a third consecutive year to Tweed Coast beaches 24-30 July.

A Northern NSW Local Health District spokesperson said that three new cases of COVID-19 were reported in the area to 8pm on November 7.

Northern NSW Local Health District, Chief Executive, Wayne Jones, said that two of the cases are in the Grafton area of Clarence Valley Local Government Area (LGA), and are linked to known cases.

‘One case is in the Lismore LGA and is also linked to a known case.’

There have now been 149 total cases in NNSWLHD since 16 June.

‘For the week of 1 – 7 November, there were 6814 tests reported in Northern NSW Local Health District.

‘The Service NSW app now includes a push notification function which let’s you know when you’ve been to a venue on the same day as a person with COVID-19.

Mr Jones said that unless you are contacted by NSW Health, people who receive a case alert on the Service NSW app will only need to monitor for symptoms and get tested if any symptoms develop.

‘More information about this function is available on the NSW government website.’

NSW Health will continue their current contact tracing procedure and will continue to contact people who are close contacts who need to take further actions.

‘Even if you are fully vaccinated you should get tested and isolate immediately if you have even the mildest of COVID-19 symptoms – such as a slightly runny nose, a scratchy or sore throat or generally feeling under the weather.’

Venue of concern in Byron Bay

NNSWLHD is reminding the community that anyone who attended Elements of Byron Bay, 144 Bayshore Drive, Byron Bay on Monday 1, Tuesday 2, Wednesday 3 or Thursday 4 November is considered a casual contact and needs to be tested and isolate until they receive a negative result.

Please get tested again on day six after your last contact with the COVID-19 positive person. If you feel well, you do not need to self-isolate while waiting for this test result.

This alert comes after two confirmed cases of COVID-19 attended the venue, and have now left the area.

You can find testing clinics here.


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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Plastic not so fantastic

There is nothing healthier than drinking some water – or so I’ve always told my kids. It doesn’t contain sugar or colour additives – as one person used to tell us as children, ‘it’s sky juice’! What could be better?

Ballina courthouse windows smashed, man charged

Police say a man will face court today, charged after 12 windows were allegedly smashed in Ballina last night.   Police say, 'About 10.35pm (Thursday 9 July 2026), police were called to Martin Street following reports of a man smashing windows'.

Alleged native tree removal continues in Lennox, says councillor

With a government agency now investigating the alleged clear felling of natives on a large private block in Lennox Head, Ballina Greens councillor Kiri Dicker has told The Echo that contractors were felling trees all morning, ‘trying to get the job done’.

Ocean Shores man charged with advocating terrorism online

Police say a 20-year-old Ocean Shores man is behind bars (refused bail) and will face court in Tweed Heads Local Court on 18 September, charged with advocating terrorism.