Two patients with Covid-19 are now being cared for at Lismore Base Hospital. 

Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) director of clinical operations Lynne Weir reported today that one patient, a man in his 60s, is ventilated in Intensive Care, while the other patient, a woman in her 60s, is in a stable condition on the ward. 

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“If there are any locations which a confirmed case may have visited that pose a risk of transmission for the community, we will alert the public,” Ms Weir said.

The total number of cases in residents of Northern NSW Local Health District remains at 58, with 53 known to have recovered. 

Of these, only the two cases in hospital are still requiring isolation. All earlier-reported cases are no longer infectious and have been released from isolation. 

Of the reported cases, 53 acquired the virus overseas or interstate, four from contact with a confirmed case or in a known cluster, and one is unknown. 

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Queensland closes border to NSW

The news comes on the same day that the Queensland Premier has announced Queensland will shut the border to NSW to control the spread of coronavirus, as of August 8.

Exceptions allowed to still cross the border include essential workers such as truck drivers, and those who live in border towns like Tweed Heads. Ms Palaszczuk said exemptions on compassionate grounds would be limited. Queenslanders returning home will be forced into a two-week hotel quarantine and they must return by plane.

Stop the spread, wear a mask 

Ms Weir advised people to wear a mask in situations where it is difficult to stay 1.5 metres away from other people. 

The advice from NSW Health specifically recommends: 

• The use of face masks in indoor settings where physical distancing is hard to maintain, such as on public transport or in supermarkets; 
• The use of face masks (where practical) in indoor settings with a higher risk of transmission, such as for the staff of hospitality and customer-facing venues i.e. cafes, restaurants, pubs and clubs; and 
• During attendance at places of worship. 

"Wearing a mask in any of these settings is not mandatory but is highly recommended, especially in areas where there has been community transmission," Ms Weir said.

"Visitors to hospitals and other public health facilities will be asked to wear a mask upon entering. Masks help us protect ourselves and each other.

"NSW Health staff are required to wear masks if they are within 1.5 metres of patients to protect the patients. 

"A mask is not a substitute for physical distancing, and should be used in conjunction with other measures."

For more information on mask wearing visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/face- masks 

Get tested if you have symptoms 

Ms Weir said more than 40,000 Covid tests have now been done in the NNSWLHD since the pandemic began. 

“We thank everyone who has already come forward for testing and also those who are taking their personal responsibility seriously by keeping a safe distance from others to help minimise any transmission of the virus,” she said. 

“We’re reminding the community that anyone with even the mildest of symptoms, such as a runny nose or scratchy throat, should come forward for testing. 

“You must self-isolate until you receive your test result. Stay at home, and do not go to work or catch public transport until you are cleared of Covid-19.”

The Covid-19 testing clinic at Lismore Base Hospital has new opening hours of 9am to 5.30pm daily.

There are also GP and pop up clinics in the region. A full list of testing clinics can be found at: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/clinics.aspx 

Coronavirus

Self-isolation

Ms Weir said anyone directed to undertake a 14-day self-isolation period must stay in isolation for the full period, even if they test negative. 

This is because early testing may not detect an early infection, and release from self- isolation based on a negative test could allow an infectious person to infect others in the community. 

The self-isolation period is 14 days as most people who are infected and develop symptoms will develop symptoms within 14 days of infection. 

Restricted visiting hours at Lismore Base Hospital

Ms Weir said while the NNSWLHD has seen relatively low case numbers, “restricted visiting hours remain in place across our facilities to help keep the community and vulnerable patients safe”. 

“There is currently a limit of one (1) visitor per patient in all our hospitals,” she said. “This person is to be identified by the patient in consultation with their family or carer.”

The visiting hours are restricted to between 1pm – 6pm daily. Visits occur in the patient’s room, and are limited to one (1) hour only, once per day. 

Upon entering a facility, as a precautionary measure, visitors are asked some basic screening questions to make sure they have not been to at-risk areas or in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19. 

“We appreciate that these measures may cause inconvenience for some hospital patients and visitors, but we thank you in advance for your cooperation,” Ms Weir said.