Northern NSW Local Health District (LHD) has confirmed the Northern Rivers has no COVID-19 cases following rumours spread on social media platforms earlier today.

Below is a screenshot of one social media post.

Following a number of calls to the Northern NSW LHD throughout the day, a statement was released at 5:30pm:

Northern NSW Local Health District thanks the community for their ongoing vigilance and quick response to the latest COVID-19 case alerts and coming forward for testing

“Thank you to everyone who has come forward for testing in recent days, helping to protect themselves and their communities,” Acting Chief Executive, Lynne Weir said.

There have been no new locally-acquired cases reported in Northern NSW Local Health District for 113 days but Ms Weir urged the community to continue to get tested.

“It’s important that people come forward at the first sign of any symptoms, because that way our contact tracers in NSW Health have the best chance of responding to new cases, and we reduce the chance of the virus spreading to others,” Ms Weir said.

For the four days from Saturday 17 July to Tuesday 20 July, there were 1511 tests conducted across the four hospital-based testing clinics in the District.

The most significant increases were seen at The Tweed Hospital clinic on Sunday 18 July, which saw a 63% increase on the previous Sunday, and at the Grafton Base Hospital clinic on Monday 19 July, where 67% more tests were conducted than the previous Monday.

These figures do not include the additional tests conducted at numerous private pathology and Commonwealth respiratory clinics across the region.

“People are understandably concerned about the current outbreak. The best thing we can do at the moment is to follow the health advice, as all these measures are important in creating a COVID-safe community.

“That means getting tested immediately, self-isolating until you get a negative result, and following the public health measures of hand hygiene, physical distancing, mask-wearing, checking-in with QR codes, and limiting visitors to your household or business in line with the current orders.”

Clinic locations and opening hours are listed on the NSW website at COVID-19 testing clinics. There are more than 400 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW, many of which are open seven days a week.

“If you are eligible, please also come forward for vaccination as soon as possible, as vaccination is key to defeating this deadly virus. There are more than 100 NSW vaccination clinics and outreach locations across the state,” Ms Weir said.

While all residents of Lismore and the Northern Rivers remain on high alert following the 'close contact' case at the Ampol service station in Chinderah on the evening of Tuesday 13th to the morning of Wednesday 14th of July and the recent Coffs Harbour close contact venue, this is a timely reminder that only official media or government Facebook sites should be viewed for reliable and trusted facts relating to a significant news event.

Community Facebook serves its purpose to share what is happening in our community, however, they are not researched through key stakeholders to report the facts but can only offer speculation which often spreads fear.