Covid testing relief in sight as Grafton, Yamba and Maclean data revealed

Cases of Covid-19 in northern NSW are continuing to climb with more than 200 added in the past 24 hours but there’s good news on the testing front. LATEST LOCAL UPDATE

Front line health workers across the state will be sighing relief as testing lines are certain to shorten with changes announced by the Queensland Premier.

It’s not only the health workers who will welcome the change but also those requiring tests.

Like elsewhere, the line-up for the Grafton Hospital testing clinic often starts hours before the clinic opens.

People in the line up, especially those with multi-generational families, are coming prepared for the long wait and bringing camping chairs and picnic blankets as they wait for hours to get tested.

Shade is prime real estate in the line-up with those in the queue enjoying time out of the sun under the single shade tree or further up the line against a building facade.

According to the Northern NSW Local Health District the weekly testing figure in the seven days up to Christmas across Northern NSW was 17,332.

But the super high demand for testing is set to change from January 1.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the 72-hour PCR testing for interstate travellers will no longer be required.

This will mean less demand on our health care workers and less wait time in clinic queues.

CLARENCE DATA REVEALED

The latest data from The Northern NSW Local Health District shows 216 case results in the last 24 hours up to 8pm

8 of those are in the Clarence Valley.

Data available from NSW Health for the last 14 days up to the 27th December reveals a total of 107 positive Covid cases in the Clarence Valley and 74 in Grafton, 20 in Yamba and 1 in Maclean.

Northern NSW Local Health District announced 216 cases for the Northern Nsw Local Health District in the 24 hours to 8pm on the 28th December.