Border zone ‘at stake’ following Byron sewerage fragments

The Covid situation on the Northern Rivers was barely mentioned in the Premier’s press conference, with Sydney’s outbreak dominating proceedings.

Traffic on Minjungbal Drive, Tweed Heads South, following Friday July 23 border closures.

Update 11.45am: The Northern Rivers barely rated a mention at the NSW Premier’s press conference this morning, as the growing Sydney Covid outbreak dominated discussion.

Gladys Berejiklian declared the Sydney Covid-19 outbreak had become a national emergency after 136 new cases of Covid were recorded to 8pm last night

The Premier did not address issues concerning Northern NSW – traces of Covid detected in Byron Bay sewage, possible exposure of workers at Lismore Base Hospital, and a truckie with Covid visiting a service station at Chinderah.

While tougher lockdown restrictions were being applied to locations in Sydney, Ms Berejiklian said increased vaccination was the only way to control the outbreak, and called on people to consider Astra Zeneca as an option to ensure as many people as possible got their first vaccination, as soon as possible.

When asked about the reluctance of Byron Bay GPs’ to administer Astra Zeneca to those under 40, Dr Kerry Chant said the government wanted to hear about any barriers that may be in place of people getting vaccinated.

She said doctors were able to administer Astra Zeneca to those under 40 after discussing the relevant risks without fear of liability, and said she wanted to see people getting that vaccine “in droves” from today.

Ms Berejiklian said the risks of getting Covid were much higher than the risk of an adverse effect from the Astra Zeneca vaccine.

Original story: Queensland officials have warned border residents that the bubble could be in trouble following news of Covid-19 fragments detected in Byron Bay sewerage.

Speaking a press conference on Friday, Deputy Premier Stephen Miles responded to NSW Health’s public health alert.

“Clearly, given the fact Byron is within the border zone, we will be monitoring that very, very closely,” he said.

He stressed the importance of border zone residents using the bubble only for essential reasons.

“What’s at stake is the border zone itself,” he said.

Byron Shire mayor Michael Lyon said health authorities were today re-establishing the Cavanbah Centre on Ewingsdale Road as an additional testing centre.

He said they were also recommencing sewerage monitoring at the Bangalow and Mullumbimby sewerage treatment plants.

Byron mayor Michael Lyon said a testing clinic at the Cavanbah Centre, pictured here in March after a local Covid-19 scare, would be re-established. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Scott Powick

He said those sources have not been part of the testing schedule since Byron’s virus scare at Easter eased.

“My understanding is that we have tested all four (Byron Shire sites) and as I understand it, they will continue to test them,” Mr Lyon said.

“It’s obviously concerning because I’m sure they don’t get these tests wrong.

“It means it has been here, or it is here.”

Mr Lyon said a follow-up round of sewerage testing was being expedited.

“We’ll wait and see if we get another test back that’s positive,” he said.

He said initial information suggested the fragments detected may be of a “low level” so there is a chance it has come from someone who was no longer infectious in the community.

Of the Queensland border closure, Mr Lyon said it was positive to see travel for work was permitted for border zone residents.

Byron mayor Michael Lyon.

“It’s an imposition but potentially not as bad as we’ve had previously,” he said.

“It’s just really not good, this whole pandemic; it’s something we haven’t seen in the world and it’s just a pretty terrible thing and it has major impacts.”

Queensland’s chief health officer Dr Jeanette Young reiterated it was “absolutely critical” border zone residents travel for essential reasons only.

“It’s their (Byron Bay) first one there in a long time,” she said.

“It could be they’ve got a case in the community, it could be someone from Sydney who’s travelled to the region and returned to Sydney.

“It’s really important only to travel into that border zone from Queensland if you really need to … for work or education or to provide care for vulnerable people.

“Don’t travel for discretionary reasons.”

The warning comes are NSW Health detected fragments of the virus that causes COVID-19 at the sewage treatment plant at Byron Bay.

The sewage treatment plant serves about 19,000 people in Byron Bay, Wategos, Suffolk Park, Sunrise, and Broken Head.

The health department said residents should be extra cautious at this time.

“There are no known cases in this area, which is of great concern,” the release said.

The border bubble was erected between Queensland and NSW this morning as Queensland officials placed a hard border closure against the state on Thursday.

Everyone in the area is asked to be especially vigilant for symptoms, and if they appear, to immediately come forward for testing and isolate until a negative result is received.