Two cases of COVID-19 in NSW have been confirmed in the Northern NSW Local Health District. 

North Coast Public Health Unit acting director Dr Jane Jelfs said contacts from the two local cases are being followed up by the North Coast Public Health Unit. 

“Both cases were acquired overseas, and were not the result of local community transmission,” Dr Jelfs said.

“Anyone who is considered at risk of developing symptoms due to contact with these cases will be notified directly.

“Of the two cases, one person is self-isolating, and the other is being cared for in hospital. 

“We encourage members of the public to continue to practice good hygiene, including hand-washing and social distancing, and to remain alert to any changing advice from health authorities.”

There are currently two confirmed cases of the virus in Northern NSW and COVID-19/flu clinics have been established at Lismore Base Hospital and The Tweed Hospital. 

The purpose of these clinics is for people who have respiratory symptoms or fever and who are at risk of COVID-19, if they have been in contact with a COVID-19 case, or have returned from overseas in the 14 days before onset of symptoms. 

“Since the situation is changing daily, we’ll be monitoring the ongoing need for these measures, and they’ll be available according to demand,” Dr Jelfs said.

NSW Health is recommending people with acute, cold, flu-like symptoms who are returned travellers, or a contact of a confirmed case, be tested for COVID-19. 

Testing is recommended for all returning overseas travellers who develop symptoms within 14 days of return, contacts of cases who develop symptoms, people admitted to hospital with severe respiratory infection irrespective of travel history, other special circumstances such as where there is an outbreak of respiratory infections without an identified cause such as flu. 

Samples for testing can be taken directly by some GPs or at a range of private pathology sites across the state that are suitable for collection of COVID-19, or at public hospitals across NSW. 

The Lismore App has a created a section on Coronavirus where you can access easy to find information about the virus and available services to help.

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