X

EMERGENCY

In an emergency, always call triple zero (000) for an ambulance. Ambulances are the safest way to be assessed, treated and transported to the right hospital for the care you need.

Triple zero (000) is a free call from any phone, mobile or phone box.

For less severe but still urgent situations, go to an Emergency Department.

There are 12 public hospital Emergency Departments in Northern NSW Local Health District and they are all available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Emergency departments are located at:

COVID-19 Update 11 December 2021
Published: 11 Dec 2021

35 new cases of COVID-19 were reported for Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) in the 24 hours to 8pm 10 December.

Of the cases, 23 were in the Byron Local Government Area, 2 in the Lismore LGA, 8 in the Ballina LGA, and 2 in the Tweed LGA.

30 of the 35 cases are linked to an existing case or cluster. One case in the Ballina LGA, one case in the Tweed LGA, two cases in Byron LGA and one case in Lismore LGA remain under investigation.

 

Increase in cases, please get tested

NNSWLHD is seeing an increase in cases in the Byron Bay region, and the majority of them are associated with venues including pubs, clubs and party settings.

The transmission in these types of settings is contributing to the increase in cases in NSW and we reiterate how important it is for people not to attend social functions if they have any symptoms, even if mild.  Where possible, social gatherings should be held in outdoor environments.

We urge anyone in Northern NSW who develops symptoms such as a runny nose, a scratchy or sore throat, or is generally feeling unwell, to get tested and isolate immediately, even if you are fully vaccinated.

Thank you to everyone who has come forward for testing in recent days. We thank you for your patience as we see greater numbers of people presenting for testing.

There are more than 450 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW. Find your nearest clinic on the NSW Government website or contact your GP.

 

Advice for COVID-positive people

If you have tested positive to COVID-19 virus, you must isolate from others.  You will be registered as a patient of the Northern NSW COVID Virtual Care Service for monitoring of your health while you are COVID 19 positive and self-isolating.

Staff from the Virtual COVID Care Service will be in touch with you in the next 24 to 48 hours to register you onto the service.

You should also expect a phone call from the Public Health Unit to discuss possible source of infection and work through contact tracing. This service is separate from the Virtual COVID Care Service.

If you have not yet been vaccinated against COVID-19, we encourage you to attend one of the walk-in or booked vaccination clinics which are operating throughout Northern NSW. You can find your closest vaccination clinic at the Australian Government’s COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Finder.

 

Advice for international travellers

New rules for returning travellers regarding the Omicron B.1.1.529 variant of concern are now in place. In line with Commonwealth measures, all travellers arriving in NSW who have been in South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini and Malawi during the 14-day period before their arrival in NSW must enter hotel quarantine for 14 days, irrespective of their vaccination status.

All fully vaccinated travellers who have been in any other overseas country during the 14-day period before their arrival in NSW must travel directly to their place of residence or accommodation and isolate for 72 hours. They will only be able to exit isolation at the end of the 72 hour period if they have received a negative result. These people must also complete a PCR test on day six after arrival.

Anyone who has already arrived in NSW who has been in any of the eight African countries within the previous 14 days must immediately get tested and isolate for 14 days, and call NSW Health on 1800 943 553.