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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: 8 April
Published: 08 Apr 2020

As at 8pm Tuesday 7 April there were 49 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in residents of the Northern NSW Local Health District.

The increase of one is not the result of any new infections in NNSWLHD, but a case that has been reclassified to this region based on their place of residence.

As more information is gathered each day due to ongoing surveillance of existing cases, the counts reported on a particular day may vary.

NNSWLHD cases by likely source of infection:

 

Source
Total

Overseas acquired
42

Contact of a confirmed case or in a known cluster
4

Contact not identified
1

Under investigation
2

Total
49

 

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

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

Increased testing for Byron Bay

As announced this week, we have expanded the testing criteria for backpackers and residents in Byron Bay, as an area that may be at elevated risk of community transmission.

We are now extending this expanded testing to any residents of the Byron Local Government Area.

This measure acknowledges the transient nature of the population, and the significant proportion of people who travel to Byron Bay for work but live outside the town centre. By extending this testing we will increase our likelihood of picking up any cases of community transmission in the area.

Anyone with a fever OR acute respiratory infection (e.g. cough, shortness of breath, sore throat) who is resident within the Byron LGA is encouraged to be tested for COVID-19.

We encourage anyone who can’t get in to see their GP over the weekend to present to the clinic for testing.

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

Easter Long Weekend clinic hours

All our COVID-19 clinics will remain open over the Easter long weekend. These are located at:

Byron Central Hospital – open 10am-4pm The Tweed Hospital – open 10am-6pm Lismore Base Hospital - open 10am – 6pm Grafton Base Hospital - open 10am – 6pm.

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

Residents of NSW can also call 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.