Lismore has another Covid-19 case and a virus fragment has been found in Ballina

Health authorities believe the new Lismore case was infectious while in the community.

Northern NSW Local Health District has again urged Northern Rivers residents to get tested after a new case of Covid-19 was detected in the Lismore area and virus fragments were detected in Ballina sewage. Picture: Morsa Images / istock

Northern NSW has a further case of Covid-19 and virus fragments have been detected in Ballina.

Northern NSW Local Health District acting chief executive Lynne Weir announced overnight a positive test result was confirmed in the Lismore area on Saturday.

She said this case would be included in NSW Health’s official reporting on Sunday.

Contact tracing information is yet to be released but existing sites in the region can be found here.

“Initial investigations indicate that this person has been infectious while in the community, with further contact tracing currently under way,” she said.

“We will provide more information as soon as it is available, including any exposure venues of public concern.”

The local health district is meanwhile urging people in the Ballina area to get tested for Covid-19.

Fragments of the virus have been detected in samples taken from the Ballina sewage treatment plant on September 16.

That sewage treatment plant serves about 31,100 people.

“This detection is very concerning as it follows detections at the Wardell, South Lismore, East Lismore and Byron Bay treatment plants,” Ms Weir said.

“Detections could indicate there are positive cases in the community who have not been tested.

“Detections can also be due to shedding of the virus by someone who may have previously had the illness and may no longer be infectious.”

She said there was a need for the community to be vigilant and get tested if they have even mild symptoms.

“We urge people to come forward for testing at the first sign of any Covid-19 symptoms and get tested as quickly as possible, and self-isolate while they await their test results,” she said.

There are a range of Covid-19 testing clinics operating in Ballina, Byron Bay, Lismore and Wardell on Sunday:

• Ballina 4Cyte Pathology Drive-through Clinic, 319 River Street, 2480, Ballina opening 8.00am to 2.00pm
  
• Lismore Base Hospital, Uralba Street, Lismore opening at 9.00am
  
• Lismore 4Cyte Pathology Drive-through Clinic, 47-49 Dawson Street, 2478, Lismore opening 8.00am to 2.00pm
  
• Goonellabah QML Pathology Drive-through and Walk in Clinic, 50 Oliver Avenue, Goonellabah Sports and Aquatic Centre (GSAC), Goonellabah opening at 8.00am – 3.00pm
  
• Byron Central Hospital Fever Clinic, Ewingsdale Road, Byron Bay opening at 9.00am
  
• Cavanbah Centre, 249 Ewingsdale Road, Byron Bay opening 9.00am – 2.00pm.
  
• Cabbage Tree Island Health Post opening 10am – 3pm
  
• Wardell, QML Pathology Drive-through, Wardell tennis courts, opening 10am – 2pm.