From the Newsroom

Covid-19 fragments found in Yamba sewerage

Lynne Weir, Acting Chief Executive FOR Northern NSW Local Health District is urging people in the Yamba area to get tested for COVID-19 with even the mildest of symptoms following detection of fragments of the virus that causes COVID-19 in the Yamba sewage treatment plant.

There are no new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in residents of Northern NSW Local Health District and no known cases in the Yamba area, which could indicate undetected infections.

Sewage testing is an additional surveillance tool which can help provide early warning of undetected infections.

The Yamba sewage treatment plant serves approximately 6,500 people. Additional samples are being taken this week. An additional sample taken from the Ballina sewage treatment plant on 15 August returned a negative result.

Anyone who is even slightly unwell is urged to come forward for testing immediately, then isolate until they receive a negative result.

We are also strongly encouraging people who may live on properties which are not connected to the town sewage supply systems, to please be alert for any symptoms of COVID-19 and get tested immediately.

Getting tested not only helps our public health teams respond quickly, it also means that if you do become more severely ill, we can provide necessary medical care and treatment.

A new testing clinic will be operational from tomorrow in Yamba:

  • QML Pathology Drive Through Clinic, Raymond Laurie Sports Centre, 78 Angourie Rd, Yamba. Open 9am- 3pm. No appointments required.

Other testing clinics in the Clarence Valley are:

  • Yamba Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology, 72 Yamba Road, Yamba. Open Monday to Friday 7.30am – 2.00pm, appointments required.
  • Yamba Respiratory Clinic, 12 Clarence Street, Yamba. Open Monday to Friday 8.00am – 5.00pm, appointments required.
  • Grafton Base Hospital clinic, 184 Arthur Street, Grafton. Open seven days 9.00am – 5.00pm, no appointment required.
  • Grafton South Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology, 94 Bent Street, Coles Complex, South Grafton. Open Monday – Friday 7.00am – 2.00pm, appointments required.

To find your nearest testing clinic, visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/how-toprotect-yourself-and-others/clinics or contact your GP.