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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: 7 April
Published: 07 Apr 2020

As at 8pm Monday 6 April there was one (1) additional confirmed case of COVID-19 in residents of the Northern NSW Local Health District. This brings the District’s total to 48.

By likely source of infection:

 

Source
Total

Overseas acquired
43

Contact of a confirmed case or in a known cluster
4

Contact not identified
-

Under investigation
1

Total
48

Breakdowns by Local Government Area can be found on the NSW Health website: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/diseases/Pages/covid-19-lga.aspx

Of the NNSWLHD cases, there are currently 2 patients with COVID-19 being cared for in our hospitals.

I can’t overstate the importance of staying at home over the Easter break where possible, unless you are needing to attend medical appointments, such as a testing facility for COVID-19, or get essential groceries or attend work, education or for exercise.

 

Increased testing for Byron Bay region

 NSW Health is increasing testing, particularly around areas where there are some community transmissions and areas where there have been clusters. For Northern NSW, this includes Byron Bay as an area that may be at elevated risk of community transmission.

NSW Health is lowering the clinical thresholds for testing individual patients in these areas and asking anyone with a fever OR acute respiratory infection (e.g. cough, shortness of breath, sore throat) to be tested for COVID-19.

By finding those cases early and identifying appropriate isolation and quarantining of close contacts, we can help prevent onward transmission in the community.

This approach is in line with national COVID-19 control guidelines, which recommend different testing criteria for different risk settings.

These recommendations are also being shared with NSW GPs and other clinicians to help implement this increased testing in the targeted areas.

For advice and information about COVID-19 visit www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/diseases/Pages/coronavirus.aspx

 Residents of NSW can also call new the 24-hour COVID-19 hotline on 13 77 88 for advice and support on non-health related enquiries.

 For health related advice, please continue to liaise with your GP, or phone HealthDirect on 1800 022 222.