UPDATE: Wednesday, March 16, 11am
A flood evacuation centre in Lismore suffered a COVID-19 outbreak that resulted in a significant number of flood victims becoming infected, local volunteers say.
But the centre was reportedly forced to stay open even as COVID case numbers grew, because there was nowhere else for people to go.
The outbreak is said to have occurred at the Goonellabah Sports & Aquatic Centre (GSAC), which at one point housed more than 500 people who could not return home after the flood.
The GSAC was finally closed on March 11, with all those who remained there being moved to a larger evacuation centre at Southern Cross University.
The volunteers told The Echo that the outbreak appeared to have started not long after the GSAC started being used as an evacuation centre.
With few options for alternative accommodation, staff were said to have put those with the virus in a cordoned-off isolation zone outside the gym until arrangements were made for their permanent accommodation – either in hospital, elsewhere, or, eventually, the isolated COVID rooms upstairs at the GSAC.
Nowhere to go
‘They were just so bombarded with everything – hundreds and hundreds of people coming through who had nowhere else to go,’ one volunteer said.
‘I think it came down to the fact that the majority of people staying at the GSAC were in the gym. There was just so much potential for cross-contamination – it was huge.
‘There was just such a crisis in Lismore, I think it just came down to having no alternative. It was organised chaos in there.’
Another volunteer said that a system of armbands was also reportedly introduced to differentiate those who had tested negative from those who had not.
All visitors to the centre were also required to be tested before entering, and the wearing of masks was implemented more fastidiously.
Volunteers infected virus
Despite these measures, a number of volunteers were also reported to have been infected with the virus.
‘It was all running out of a bit of desperation – everyone was doing their best,’ another volunteer said.
‘The whole COVID thing just added another element of disaster to it.’
The Echo is awaiting a response from the Northern NSW Local Health District, which had responsibility for dealing with COVID cases within the region’s evacuation centres.
For the most up-to-date COVID information visit nsw.gov.au
Recent stories, information and updates regarding COVID-19
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. The AEC says that voters who have recently tested positive for COVID-19 will be able to phone in their vote in the federal election. The Northern NSW Local Health District says that to 4pm yesterday, 15 May, 384 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in the District, including 82 positive PCR tests and 302 positive rapid antigen tests. Volunteering Australia says volleys are the backbone of the country in times of crisis and emergency. Today there are 41 COVID-19 positive patients in hospital in Northern NSW, with none of these in ICU. The Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) reports that there are 37 COVID-19 positive patients in hospital in Northern NSW, with one of these in ICU. The Northern NSW Local Health District reports that in the 24 hours to 4pm yesterday, 1 May, 274 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in the area, including 56 positive PCR tests and 218 positive rapid antigen tests
Five graphs you need to see before the Global Carbon Budget...
Public transport mask mandate to end
NSW Police: be COVID-vigilant at Splendour in the Grass
COVID-19 update for the NNSWLHD – May 23
AEC says COVID voters can phone from home
COVID-19 update: May 16
It’s National Volunteer Week
COVID-19 update: May 9
COVID-19 update: May 6
COVID-19 update: Monday 2 May
Well, that’s that then.