One new case of COVID-19 was reported for Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) in the 24 hours to 8pm 2 December.
Northern NSW Local Health District, Chief Executive, Wayne Jones, said the case is located in the Lismore Local Government Area and is linked to an existing case.
‘Northern NSW Local Health District can also confirm that two additional cases have been confirmed in travellers to the region visiting Byron Bay. These cases are not included in NNSWLHD’s case tally, and contact tracing is underway.
‘We know that COVID-19 travels easily, and people can contract the virus without showing any symptoms.
‘Even while our vaccination rates are increasing daily, it’s important for people to continue to practise COVID-safe measures to minimise their own risk of catching COVID-19 or transmitting it to others who may be more vulnerable to the serious health effects of the virus.’
These are simple measures such as:
• Keeping up with hand hygiene – using sanitiser or washing your hands regularly
• Wearing a mask indoors where appropriate – including at hospitality venues when not eating or drinking, in retail environments and on public transport
• Checking in wherever you go, so that you can be notified if an exposure occurs at a venue you have visited.
You can visit www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/create-covid-19-check-card to obtain a Check-in Card if you do not use a smartphone.
• Not going out when unwell, but isolating and getting tested as soon as you have any symptoms.
• Attending venues or gatherings at premises that have good COVID-safe measures in place, such as COVID marshals and clear check-in requirements.
Even if you are fully vaccinated, you should get tested and isolate immediately if you have symptoms such as a runny nose, a scratchy or sore throat or are generally feeling unwell.
There are more than 450 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW. Find a clinic on the NSW Government website or contact your GP.
The vaccination van
On Tuesday December 7 the mobile vaccination van, a partnership with Social Futures, will be visiting Ballina on its final stop.
The van will be located at Porter Park, 17 Daydream Avenue, West Ballina, open from 9.30am – 2.30pm, providing Pfizer vaccinations. You can attend for a first, second or booster dose if you are eligible now. No appointment needed.
Walk-in and booked vaccination clinics are operating throughout Northern NSW. You can find your closest clinic at the Australian Government’s COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Finder.
Advice for international travellers
New rules for returning travellers regarding the Omicron B.1.1.529 variant of concern are now in place.
In line with Commonwealth measures, all travellers arriving in NSW who have been in South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini and Malawi during the 14-day period before their arrival in NSW must enter hotel quarantine for 14 days, irrespective of their vaccination status.
All fully vaccinated travellers who have been in any other overseas country during the 14-day period before their arrival in NSW must travel directly to their place of residence or accommodation and isolate for 72 hours. They will only be able to exit isolation at the end of the 72 hour period if they have received a negative result.
These people must also complete a PCR test on day six after arrival.
Anyone who has already arrived in NSW who has been in any of the eight African countries within the previous 14 days must immediately get tested and isolate for 14 days, and call NSW Health on 1800 943 553.
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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