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June 20, 2026

December 20 COVID update – 34 new cases as number go down

Latest News

The NT intervention laws that shape lives

This Sunday marks 19 years since the then Howard Government announced the Northern Territory Intervention laws – ‘The Intervention’ began with a media release by Mal Brough, Minister for Indigenous Affairs, on June 21, 2007.

Other News

WAVE – I Have Friends Everywhere

The closing date for entries is in October, so this is a callout for all design artists, fashion innovators, culture initiators and wearable inventors.

Long serving drudges

One category overlooked for an award at The Echo’s 40th birthday party was for the long-serving drudges. Jenny Dalimore, Steve...

Northern Rivers clubs shine at Clubs & Community Awards

Club Lennox and Twin Towns were among Northern Rivers clubs recognised at the Clubs & Community Awards, held last Thursday in Sydney.

Discovering Byron’s influence on Australian music

For a small regional area the Byron Shire and Northern Rivers have had an outsized impact on the culture and music in Australia.

Men’s Health Week: simple conversations

This National Men’s Health Week experts from Triple P – Positive Parenting Program are encouraging dads, granddads and father figures to embrace something simple but powerful: everyday conversations that support their own wellbeing and their family’s wellbeing.

Speaking and listening

All of a sudden Council’s supposed experts condemn the Wilsons Creek weir water quality during rain events, which would...

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, said that 8pm December 19, there were 34 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in the District.

Local Government Area Number of Cases

• Byron 21
• Ballina 4
• Lismore 4
• Tweed 4
• Clarence Valley 1
• Kyogle 0
• Richmond Valley 0

There are five 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,’ said Mr Jones. 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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Hemp industry given boost with development plan

A Hemp Industry Development Plan has been announced by the NSW government, which promises 'to unlock new opportunities for NSW businesses and add value to the state's low-THC hemp industry, which is forecast to become a $100 million Australian industry by 2032'.

Gambling harm recognised by Tweed Council, supported by Wesley Mission

Faith-based, not-for-profit organisation providing community services in NSW, Wesley Mission, has welcomed Tweed Shire Council’s decision to publicly recognise the impact of gambling harm and advocate for stronger harm-minimisation measures.

Winter Warmer fundraiser for homelessness

The annual Winter Warmer Homelessness Relief campaign, hosted by Dharma Care, will return for 2026 with cabaret at Salt, Kingscliff, on Thursday 2 July, headlined by comedian Mandy Nolan, interactive performance artist The Space Cowboy and the Kinship Doobai Dancers, with a Welcome to Country from Aunty Jackie.

Tweed Shire Council presents flood resilience series – part one

Over the coming weeks, Tweed Shire Council will present a flood resilience series, which looks at how 'Tweed's story is different from the standard flood recovery narrative and what happened next'.