Sydney lockdown triggers explosion of Covid testing in Northern NSW

The local health district is also expanding its capacity to provide Covid-19 vaccinations in the region, extending opening hours for three clinics in Lismore, Tweed and Grafton.

BYRON BAY , AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos March 30, 2021: QML Pathology Medical staff drivers and passengers at the pop up Covid Testing site at Cavanbah Sports Ground, Ewingsdale Road Byron Bay. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Scott Powick

The number of Covid tests completed in Northern NSW has exploded in the last weeks.

Lynne Weir, Acting Chief Executive, Northern NSW Local Health District, said Northern NSW residents have responded in large numbers to calls for testing as part of the response to the evolving Covid-19 outbreaks in Greater Sydney and Queensland.

From 27 June to 3 July, there were 5839 Covid tests conducted among residents in the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD).

The NNSWLHD covers from Tweed Heads in the north to Tabulam and Urbenville in the west, and to Nymboida and Grafton in the south, in an area of 20,732 sq km.

In the previous week, from June 20 to June 26, there were 3849 Covid tests conducted in the same area, Ms Weird said.

“Anyone experiencing even the mildest of cold-like symptoms should come forward immediately for testing, then self-isolate until a negative result is received,” she said.

A full list of nearby testing locations can be found here.

Lockdown in Greater Sydney will be extended for another week. Premier Gladys Berejiklian reached the decision in a high stakes meeting of the government’s crisis cabinet late on Tuesday.

In the 10 days since lockdown began, 122 new cases were in the community while potentially infectious.

Vaccines

The local health district was also expanding its capacity to provide Covid-19 vaccinations in the region, extending opening hours for the three clinics located at Tweed Mall, Lismore Square Shopping Centre, and Link Arcade Grafton.

The Tweed and Lismore clinics are now operating seven days a week, while the Grafton clinic will be open six days a week, Monday to Saturday, Ms Weir said.

“Our clinic schedulers are working hard to schedule appointments for local residents, and to return calls that are lodged through our call back system,” she said.

“I would like to thank the community for their patience and assure people that everyone who wants to be vaccinated will be vaccinated as the Commonwealth Government makes supplies available.”

The Local Health District executive reminded residents and visitors to follow the Covid-safe measures that are in place including:

• do not have more than five visitors at any one time

• wear a mask when in non-residential indoor areas, or using public transport, hire vehicles, taxis and rideshare services and,

• remain seated when consuming alcohol in an indoor area of non-residential premises in NSW.

Further details of these and other measures are available via the Service NSW app and the NSW Government website.

In addition, anyone who has been in Greater Sydney at any time since June 21 was reminded they must follow the stay at home orders until they have been outside Greater Sydney for at least 14 days.

Greater Sydney includes the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour.

People required to stay at home may only leave their accommodation to obtain food or other goods and services; for work or education if not possible to do it at home; for exercise, or for medical or caring reasons including obtaining a COVID-19 vaccination.