The arrival into Ballina airport last Sunday of a 2480 postcode resident who tested positive for coronavirus has struck fear and uncertainty into the hearts of some local residents – particularly after months of no new Covid-19 cases in the local area. 

Yesterday, The Lismore App reported that a 20 year old woman arrived on a Jetstar flight from Melbourne and became the 56th case of Covid-19 in the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD).

Overnight, social media comments on the story showed community fears that her arrival could be the beginning of the spread of the virus across the local area. 

Read more news: Lismore resident identified as Covid-19 Jetstar flight passenger

So, The Lismore App contacted NNSWLHD chief executive Wayne Jones, who explained the steps taken to mitigate any community transmission - and to allay people’s concerns. 

Mandatory quarantine

“Everyone who was on that Jetstar flight is now under mandatory quarantine for 14 days,” Mr Jones said.

Read more news: Ballina flight arrives with one Covid-19 case on-board

“They were advised to get tested if they showed any signs of symptoms. We also do welfare checks on them by phone every couple of days - and the police check in on them too. 

“We drop in to ensure that everyone is abiding by what they should do and we are confident every measure was taken, but we also appreciate the community concerns about the risks.”

Flights suspended and restricted travel

Mr Jones said all direct flights to Ballina from Melbourne are now suspended, and the woman’s Jetstar flight was one of the last ones allowed in.

“We can’t restrict travel 100%,” Mr Jones said.

“All requests for travel are looked at by the public health department and most are rejected because they offer too much risk and no gain except personal benefit.

“If a local resident wishes to return home, she is entitled to.

“The risks are mitigated from the start and there is a permit process. If the person meets the criteria, they are entitled to come back as long as they follow physical distancing and other rules in the process.”

Passengers sent home

Mr Jones said that on the Sunday flight, a number of people were sent back to Melbourne who didn’t have the right permits, or had stories “that didn’t justify them leaving Melbourne under the Public Health Order”.

“When they arrive, they are interviewed and assessed, have their temperature taken and their residential addresses looked at," he said.

“In order to enter into Ballina, passengers needed to be asymptomatic.

“This woman’s flight only had 30 people on board and they were physically distanced. A lot of research shows the risks in planes is low.

“I have to praise the woman’s maturity. She is only 20 and kept physical distancing, even at home and she also wore a mask, which makes the transmission risk exceptionally low. She and her parents are now in quarantine together.”

Contact tracing and airport cleaning

Mr Jones said NSW Health were conducting contact tracing of the woman’s contacts, but the said the chance of anyone contracting the virus at the airport was “extremely low”.

“In the airport, there are continuous cleaning services,” he said. “Each time someone comes through, someone cleans it.”

“Raspy throat”

Mr Jones said the woman was not showing any symptoms of Covid-19 when she arrived at the airport, but once she got home, she presented with mild symptoms.

“The woman described it as a raspy throat,” Mr Jones said. “While it’s a mild symptom, she took advice and was responsible and had testing done. 

“We did a rapid test on her with a quick turnaround. When she came in for testing, staff already had notice and were wearing protective gear so there was no risk to them.

“This could have been so much worse if she was not compliant.”

Compliance 

“We actually started doing assessments of arrivals into Ballina last week and implemented a system encouraging all Victorians to get tested and we’ve seen a significant number step forward for testing. 

“I can’t say there’s no risk from earlier flights, but we have seen significant compliance.

Humanitarianism

“We’ve seen cases where people’s parents are dying of cancer on the North Coast and the children want to be with them,” Mr Jones said. 

“We gave an exemption to those asymptomatic people who had no contact with any known cases of Covid and who self isolated, had dedicated transport to the hospital and also wore masks and gloves so they could be with their parents. We limited the risk.

“We also want to be humanitarian and support people."

How do you know if you are recovered?

Of the 56 cases of Covid-19 reported in our local area since the pandemic began, three are still listed as not recovered. One of them is the woman who arrived on Sunday, but what about the other two?

Mr Jones said the answer to whether or not a person is recovered is “complex”.

“The person needs to have no symptoms and also feel well,” he said.

“Because of the nature of the virus, you don’t have flu-like symptoms. The original criteria were having a sore throat or loss of taste.

“But now, we also ask ‘how do you feel?’ Some cases are still presenting symptoms like fatigue. 

“The two cases listed as not recovered are still presenting with those symptoms.

“We say to people to stay at home if you feel you are not recovered.”

Don’t let fear dominate

Mr Jones said it was important that the community doesn’t allow fear to dominate the situation.

“Some people’s social media comments are inappropriate and represent the fear factor and we hope it doesn’t continue,” he said. 

“The woman who returned is a textbook case of doing everything you should do and she should be praised.”

More information

For information about numbers of people with Covid-19 by Local Health District and Local Government Areas, visit the website https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/stats-local.aspx

Anyone displaying any flu-like symptoms is encouraged to attend one of the local Fever Clinics to be tested for coronavirus.

Coronavirus