Northern NSW Local Health District is urging people to get tested for COVID-19 at the first sign of symptoms and isolate until a negative result is received.
Northern NSW Local Health District, Chief Executive, Wayne Jones, says that to 8pm December, 15 there were 81 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in the District.
The breakdown of the Local Government Area number of cases is:
• Byron 65
• Ballina 9
• Lismore 4
• Richmond Valley 1
• Tweed 1
• Clarence Valley 1
Total 81
Mr Jones says there are currently no COVID-positive patients in hospital in Northern NSW. ‘To date, no cases in NNSWLHD have been identified as the Omicron variant of concern.
‘Sixteen cases have now been linked with No Bones in Byron Bay, while 14 cases are linked with Casa Luna in Byron Bay. Investigations into additional cases potentially linked to the Coorabell Hall are ongoing.
Mr Jones says the NNSWLHD are urging anyone with cold and flu-like symptoms to come forward for testing now, particularly younger people. ‘We continue to remind everyone across the community to continue to practice COVID-Safe behaviours, including wearing a mask in settings where you cannot physically distance.
‘Get tested and stay home if you have the mildest of symptoms. Do not go out and visit family, friends or go to social events if you are unwell. Practice good hand hygiene, washing and sanitising your hands regularly.’
There are more than 450 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW. Find your nearest clinic on the NSW Government website or contact your GP.
Recent stories, information and updates regarding COVID-19
New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Life shows life expectancy in Australia has decreased slightly for the second year in a row. An international team of researchers has found more evidence that COVID-19 came from animals in a Wuhan food market. 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. 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.
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