Clarence Valley Covid cases prompt response from Deputy Premier Paul Toole

The health service has apologised for long waiting times for Covid tests after a member of a school community tested positive to Covid-19.

NSW Deputy Premier Paul Toole says lockdowns for areas like the Clarence Valley are unlikely but remain a possibility.

Mr Toole responded to questions on Monday as the Clarence registered its 11th Covid-19 case without going into lockdown.

“The Reopening NSW road map is informed by the national plan to transition Australia’s national Covid-19 response,” he said.

“Modelling in the plan indicates that lockdowns are less likely, but remain a possibility as we re-open.

“All decisions about regional areas will be based on the health advice.”

NSW Deputy Premier Paul Toole addresses media at a press conference in Sydney on Monday. Picture: Adam Yip

Responding to a question on whether regional travel for Sydney residents would be delayed until the vaccination rate in regions such as the Clarence were higher, Mr Toole again deferred to the road map.

“It is important to remember that the targets in the national and state road maps relate to 70 per cent of the state’s population being vaccinated, not local government areas,” he said.

“The NSW Government recently took the decision to only allow travel for holidays and recreation between Greater Sydney and Regional NSW when the state hits the 80 per cent vaccination target.

“This was moved from the previously announced 70 per cent target, to allow the regions more time to get vaccinated.”

Mr Toole said only fully vaccinated residents of regional NSW, not counting children under 16, would be able to travel to another location within regional NSW.

“People in Clarence are encouraged to get vaccinated to reduce the risk of transmission and protect the health and safety of their community,” he said.

“There are many points of access across regional NSW.”

Testing delays

The Northern NSW health service has apologised for long delays at the Grafton Base Hospital testing clinic at the weekend.

However, they have not committed to adding any new testing facilities for the town despite an increase in case numbers.

“We apologise for any delays faced as a result of this increased demand,” Northern NSW Local Health District acting chief executive Lynne Weir said.

Grafton Base Hospital Covid-19 clinic co-ordinator Troy Armstrong at the clinic.

Ms Weir said the hospital clinic tested 252 people on Saturday and 441 on Sunday.

“As a result, clinic times were extended and additional staff called in,” she said.

“We would like to thank the local Grafton community for coming forward for testing in such high numbers over the weekend after the notification of a positive case in a Grafton school community.”

Ms Weir said people should continue to get tested as soon as they identified they had been to a close or casual contact location, or if they developed cold and flu-like symptoms.

Testing clinics are open in Grafton and South Grafton include:

• Grafton Base Hospital, 184 Arthur Street, Grafton, open Tuesday, 7am – 7pm. Future times to be advised. Open seven days.

• Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology Grafton South, Coles Complex, Shop 9, 4 Bent Street, South Grafton. Open 7am – 4pm Tuesday and Wednesday.

Some schools reopen

Ballina Public School will reopen on Tuesday after being closed due to positive Covid tests at the weekend.

Students and staff identified as close contacts have been notified and asked to self-isolate for the required period and follow the NSW health advice and protocols.

A NSW Department of Education spokesman said each school had been thoroughly cleaned and would reopen for any child who was unable to learn from home.

However, after updated information, South Grafton Public School will not be opening on Tuesday 12 October, 2021. It will be closed effective immediately until further notice for cleaning and contact tracing, after a school community member/s tested positive for COVID-19.

All staff and students are asked to self-isolate and follow the NSW Health advice and protocols.