UPDATE 5:42

We have ended Thursday with five more cases in Northern NSW bringing the total number of cases to 22.

A statement released from the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) also gave more detailed information about these cases.

The new cases are:

• Case 18 - currently not residing in Northern NSW LHD, in home isolation
• Case 19 - in home isolation after returning from overseas
• Case 20 – in home isolation after returning from overseas
• Case 21 – in home isolation, source currently being investigated
• Case 22 – in home isolation, source currently being investigated

The Public Health Unit is following up close contacts of cases who are located within NNSWLHD, who are being asked to self-isolate for 14 days from last contact with the confirmed case.

They will be contacted daily to check that they are well and anyone who develops COVID-19 symptoms will be tested for the virus.

If you are considered a close contact of a confirmed case, a Health officer will contact you directly.

The cases for NNSWLHD include:

• 15 overseas acquired cases
• 2 contacts of a confirmed case/ or in a known cluster
• 2 contact not identified
• 3 under investigation – source unknown

Of these previous 17 cases, 14 are currently in self-isolation at home and two are in hospital. One person is considered to have recovered. 

COVID-19/flu clinics are established at The Tweed Hospital, Lismore Base Hospital and Grafton Base Hospital, open from 10am to 6pm daily.

These clinics are for those most at risk with respiratory symptoms or fever, those returning from overseas or in contact with a COVID-19 case, or people like our health workers. It is vital that these respiratory clinics are not overwhelmed with people who are not in the high risk groups, which could result in delays identifying those most vulnerable. 

People without symptoms do not need to be tested.

The symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, headache, runny nose, or shortness of breath. Anyone with symptoms should isolate themselves from others.

For advice and information about COVID-19 visit www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/diseases/Pages/coronavirus.aspx

Residents of NSW can also call new the 24-hour COVID-19 hotline on 13 77 88 for advice and support on non-health related enquiries.

For health related advice, please continue to liaise with your GP, or phone HealthDirect on 1800 022 222. 

UPDATE 4:42PM

According to the NSW Health website the total of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Northern NSW is now 22 bringing the number of new cases for today to five.

ORIGINAL STORY

Four more cases of coronavirus in our local health district have been confirmed by NSW Health.

The new Northern NSW Covid-19 cases have been reported since yesterday, bringing the total number to 21.

The NSW Health website lists data according to health district area. The website reported today that the 21 Covid-19 positive cases in Northern NSW were identified out of the 1419 cases tested for the virus in the local area

The Northern NSW Local Health District is expected to make a statement about the new cases later today.