Lynne Weir, Acting Chief Executive, Northern NSW Local

Health District says there are no new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in residents of Northern NSW Local Health District.

“Further investigations into potential venues of concern related to a positive COVID-19 case from outside the District have confirmed that this person was not infectious in the Casino area as originally advised.

Comprehensive contact tracing has established that this person acquired their infection in the days after leaving Northern NSW on Saturday 21 August, upon returning to Sydney. There is no risk to the community from this person’s presence in the region.

Public Health teams take a precautious approach to risk and possible exposure sites when a case is first identified during initial investigations”.

“We appreciate the community’s responsiveness in the wake of these concerns. A significant number of people have been tested today at Muli Muli Aboriginal Community. In light of the current COVID-19 outbreak in broad regions of the state, this increased testing is a positive step”.

“Thank you to every person who has come forward for testing.

As part of the ongoing sewage surveillance program providing an extra layer of warning for any undetected cases across NSW, additional sewage treatment plants are being included in the testing program from this week, including sites in Alstonville, Wardell,

Evans Head, Coraki, Woodenbong and Kyogle”.

“We continue to review targeted sites in collaborating with local councils and the NSW Health water unit.

Any positive detections of fragments are reported through the daily NSW Heath updates and online at https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/stats-nsw.aspx.