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Byron Shire
June 10, 2026

66 new COVID-19 cases in the December 19 update

Latest News

Emergency departments buckling under pressure

Nurses working at emergency departments (ED) across the state are continuing to feel the effects of increased presentations and very unwell people coming through their doors, with the latest health snapshot painting a worrying picture of NSW public hospitals.

Other News

Echo celebrates 40 with awards night tomorrow

Tickets are selling fast! Come join a fun-filled night of community celebration – This Saturday (tomorrow) The Echo is set to mark its 40th year in style with a ’30s swing-era style party and community awards night featuring the dynamic sounds of the Melbourne Ska Orchestra.

NBN News reduces local content, sparks MP concerns

Local federal MP Justine Elliot (Labor) has voiced concerns after NBN News announced a reduction in local TV news quality and service.

Lismore residents call to stop the demolition of homes

Community group Reclaim our Recovery are urging Lismore residents to join a gathering at the Lismore QUAD this Saturday from 11am to 'stop the demolitions of our Big Scrub heritage homes — and the NSW Reconstruction Authority needs to know we are not going away'.

Return Mullum hospital to Bundjalung

‘Public land should serve the public vision,’ Greens councillor Elia Hauge is quoted as saying in The Echo (May...

Byron Shire mens Rebels suffer first defeat at the hands of Wollongbar

Hywel David It was a mixed day out at Pioneer Park in Wollongbar-Alstonville on a sunny Saturday, with the Rebels...

Naturism

For decades, naturism has struggled with a strange communication barrier. Most naturist educational material contains nudity, which means it is...

Northern NSW Local Health District is urging people to get tested for COVID-19 after another 66 new cases have been confirmed in the district to 8pm last night, December 18.

Northern NSW Local Health District, Chief Executive, Wayne Jones, says get tested at the first sign of symptoms and isolate until a negative result is received.

Local Government Area number of new cases are in

  • Byron 49 – total active cases – 346
  • Ballina 8 – total active cases – 72
  • Lismore 3 – total active cases – 35
  • Tweed 4 – total active cases – 33
  • Clarence Valley 0 – total active cases – 7
  • Kyogle 0 – total active cases – 3
  • Richmond Valley 2 – total active cases – 5

This brings the total of currently active cases to 501.

Mr Jones says there are currently two COVID-positive patients in hospital in Northern NSW. ‘We urge anyone in Northern NSW who develops symptoms such as a runny nose, a scratchy or sore throat, or is generally feeling unwell, to get tested and isolate immediately, even if you are fully vaccinated.’

There are more than 450 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW. Find a clinic on the NSW Government website or contact your GP.


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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New exhibitions opening at Lismore Regional Gallery

All are welcome to the official opening of four new exhibitions at Lismore Regional gallery this Friday evening, with live music and a talk from Melbourne artist Sarah Ujmaia.

Missing man

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a 35-year-old man missing from Tugun on the southern Gold Coast since 9 June.

North Coast Safe Haven closure

Safe Haven North Coast has provided effective mental health supports for people across the region since it was established in 2022, but is now running out of funding.

Council appeals for help as deliberate tree destruction spreads

Tweed Shire Council is appealing for community help after a spate of deliberate destruction of trees on public land across the Tweed, including the poisoning of mature Norfolk pines at Cabarita Beach and damage to established trees at a local cemetery.