To 8pm 12 October, 12 new cases of COVID-19 were reported for the Northern NSW Local Health District.
Nine cases are in the Grafton area of Clarence Valley Local Government Area (LGA).
Of these, five are household contacts of previously reported cases or are linked to the existing cluster, while the source of four cases is under investigation.
Three cases are in the Ballina LGA, and the source of these infections is under investigation. Initial investigations indicate these cases have all been infectious in the community.
Four cases are being cared for in hospital, with one of these cases in Intensive Care. All are in a stable condition.
There have now been 89 total cases reported in NNSWLHD since the Delta outbreak began in Sydney on 16 June.
Contact tracing is underway to determine any new venues of concern related to cases infectious in the community, and Public Health has been in contact with a number of people identified as close contacts.
Where cases are reported in school communities, Pubic Health works directly with the Department of Education and Training who in turn liaise with the affected school, and communication is provided through existing Education channels to members of the school community.
Teachers, parents and students should follow the health advice provided by the school as well as any further advice they may receive from the Public Health Unit.
A new drive through testing clinic will open in Grafton from tomorrow, Thursday 14 October:
- Laverty Pathology Drive Through Clinic, Hawthorne Park, Minden Street, South Grafton. Open 9am – 3pm from Thursday 14 October.
This is in addition to existing testing clinics open in Grafton:
- Grafton Base Hospital, 184 Arthur Street, Grafton, open seven days. Open today, Wednesday 7am – 7pm.
- Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology Grafton South, Coles Complex, Shop 9, 4 Bent Street, South Grafton. Open today 7am – 4pm.
Ballina and surrounds testing includes:
- Ballina 4Cyte Pathology Drive-through Clinic. 319 River Street, Ballina. Open Monday to Sunday, 7am – 2pm.
- Ballina Respiratory Clinic. 92 Tamar Street, Shop 10-12, Tamar Shopping Village, 2478, Ballina. Open Monday to Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm.
- Ballina Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology. 90 Tamar Street, Shop 4, 2478, Ballina.
Monday to Friday 6:30am – 5pm. Saturdays 8am – 11:30am. - Alstonville Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology. Shop 2, 106 Main Street, Alstonville. Open Monday to Friday 7am – 3:30pm.
Anyone with even the slightest symptoms should get tested as soon as they feel unwell. There are more than 500 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW. Find a clinic at COVID-19 testing clinics or contact your GP.