In today’s Covid update for our local health district, 12 new cases of COVID-19 were reported, but none in Lismore.

Three cases are in the Ballina LGA, and the source of these infections is under investigation.

Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) acting chief executive Lynne Weir said the initial investigations indicate these cases have all been infectious in the community.  

Nine cases were reported in the Grafton area - five of them were household contacts of previously reported cases or linked to the existing cluster and four cases are under investigation. 

“Four cases are being cared for in hospital, with one of these cases in Intensive Care and all are in a stable condition,” Ms Weir said.

There have now been 89 total cases reported in NNSWLHD since the Delta outbreak began in Sydney on 16 June. 

Ms Weir said contact tracing is underway to determine any new venues of concern related to cases infectious in the community.

“Public Health has been in contact with a number of people identified as close contacts,” she said. 

“Where cases are reported in school communities, Pubic Health works directly with the Department of Education and Training who in turn liaise with the affected school, and communication is provided through existing Education channels to members of the school community.  

“Teachers, parents and students should follow the health advice provided by the school as well as any further advice they may receive from the Public Health Unit.  

State-wide statistics

Across NSW, there were 444 new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night and four people died.

Two were not vaccinated and two people had received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Lismore LGA vaccination statistics

With a population of 35,892 people aged 15 years and over, Lismore’s vaccination rate average is still below State average, sitting on 80.8% one dose and 47% double dose vaccinations.

Healthy North Coast NSW Covid-19 vaccination rate by LGA.

According to Healthy North Coast, across the wider North Coast region, 88% of those aged 16 and over have now had their first dose, ahead of the national average of 82%.

Healthy North Coast chief executive Julie Sturgess said 60% of people in the North Coast region are now fully vaccinated, almost on par with the national average of 62%.

“I want to personally thank the whole community for their strong support for getting vaccinated and health providers for making it possible,” Ms Sturgess said.

“With the recent easing of travel restrictions, and having people visit our region again, we can feel confident that the majority of our residents will have been vaccinated.

"While this doesn’t mean people won’t get COVID, they are better protected from serious disease and the risk of hospitalisation.

“We’re certainly moving towards being a “community with immunity”.’