If you’ve been concerned about a potential rise in Covid-19 infections after the influx of school holiday makers to the Northern Rivers area, the good news today from local health authorities is that there are no new confirmed cases of locally acquired COVID-19.

Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) acting chief executive Lynne Weir said it has now been 165 days (since July 25) since any local Covid cases were reported in local residents. To date 66 cases of Covid have been reported in the NNSWLHD.

Two new cases

Ms Weir said two new cases reported on January 3 were Lismore City Council area residents who acquired their infections overseas. 

“These two new people are currently in hotel quarantine in Sydney, after returning from overseas and will be released from isolation once health staff confirm that it is safe to do so,” Ms Weir said.

There have been more than 4,300 new Covid tests reported in residents of our area in the 14 day period to January 3, 2021. 

Testing rates

Ms Weir said Byron Shire has had the highest testing rate amongst the 12 Local Government Areas along the NSW north coast for the past three weeks, and for testing overall during 2020. 

“In addition to local residents being tested, there has been a high level of testing amongst visitors to the north coast since mid-December, with over 30% of the more than 12,500 tests analysed by state-funded laboratories on the north coast in that period being for people from other parts of NSW or interstate,” she said.

“Thank you to people who have continued to present for testing over the holiday period. It’s vital that we have a high level of testing so we can pick up any new cases in the local region.

“Anyone with even the mildest symptoms, such as headache, fatigue, cough, sore throat or runny nose, is asked to come forward immediately for testing, then isolate until they receive a negative result.”

To find your nearest testing clinic visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/how-to protect-yourself-and-others/clinics or contact your GP.

Penalty Infringement Notices

While mask wearing is not mandatory on our regional area, in other Covid-related news, two people in Sydney were issued Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) for allegedly not wearing masks - including a 35-year-old man who was allegedly not wearing a mask at Seven Hills Railway Station. 

NSW Police reported that officers attempted to issue the man a warning a number of times however he allegedly swore at police and told them to fine him. The man was issued a $200 PIN.

Police also reported that about 3pm, officers saw a 39-year-old man allegedly not wearing a mask at a shopping centre on Church Street, Parramatta. The man had allegedly been warned about not wearing a mask earlier in the day. He was issued a PIN.

Police issued more than 25 official warnings across Greater Sydney to people not wearing masks yesterday.