The total number of COVID-19 cases in residents of Northern NSW Local Health District remains at 55, with two of these cases still considered ‘not recovered’. It has been 76 days since the last confirmed case in a resident of the District and 107 days for Lismore and surrounds.

To keep these numbers steady Northern NSW Local Health District is urging anyone who may have attended the Crossroads Hotel in Casula last week to come forward for testing at a COVID-19 clinic, even if they don’t have any flu-like symptoms.

Chief Executive, Northern NSW Local Health District, Wayne Jones, said the call for people to get tested follows confirmation of 14 new cases of COVID-19 in NSW today, and a number of cases linked to the Crossroads Hotel.

“In light of the trajectory of the pandemic in Victoria, and more recent cases being identified in NSW, we’re asking any Crossroads Hotel patrons who may be currently in Northern NSW to self-isolate and have a COVID-19 test as soon as possible,” Mr Jones said.

“Even if you don’t have any symptoms at present, please come and get tested as soon as you can, so that we can identity any cases which may be circulating in the community.”

People who visited the Crossroads Hotel, Casula between Friday 3 July and Friday 10 July should present for testing as soon as possible.

A Public Health Alert is currently in place for the Crossroads Hotel, urging patrons to:

• immediately self-isolate until 14 days after they were last at the Crossroads Hotel
• attend a clinic for testing even if they have no symptoms
• watch for symptoms and get retested should any respiratory symptoms occur
• stay in isolation for 14 days, even if you have a negative test result.

Mr Jones also reiterated the call for anyone who has been to Victoria to watch for even mild symptoms and keep their distance from others for 14 days.

“The message is clear, if you have been in Victoria, don’t mix with other people until two weeks has passed,” Mr Jones said.

“If you develop even mild symptoms, a cold or cough, get tested and stay home until you’re cleared.

“If you have previously returned a negative test, and develop symptoms at a later date, it’s critical that you get tested again.” 

Byron Central Hospital has increased its testing capacity in order to meet increased demand during the holiday period.

Across the Northern NSW Local Health District, there have been over 4,900 tests in the past fortnight. 

“We’ve seen increasing numbers of people present for testing, particularly at Byron Central Hospital fever clinic, and I want to thank everyone who has come forward to date,” Mr Jones said.