There are no new confirmed cases of COVID-19 within residents of Northern NSW Local Health District.

New weekly testing figures show there were 18,198 tests conducted during the week of 8 – 14 August, almost double the previous week’s tally of 9,220.

With the recent detections of virus fragments in sewage at Lismore, Ballina and Lennox Head, it’s vital that people take the highest precautions and come to get a test as soon as they feel even slightly unwell.

The more testing we have in our area, the more likely we are to be able to identify any new cases quickly, reducing the time they may be infectious in the community, and reducing the risk that they may pass it onto others.

A new drive through testing clinic will open from tomorrow in Murwillumbah, to supplement the small number of other permanent testing facilities in that area.

• 4Cyte Pathology Drive Through clinic, Murwillumbah Railway Station, 250 Tweed Valley Way, Murwillumbah. Open 7.30am to 3.30pm seven days.

Other clinics in Murwillumbah are:

• Murwillumbah Respiratory Clinic, 14 King Street, Murwillumbah. Open Monday to Friday from 9:15am to 4:30pm, appointments required.
• Murwillumbah Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology, 14 King Street, Murwillumbah. Open Monday to Friday from 8am to 1pm, and 2pm to 4:30pm, no appointment required.

The drive through clinic located at Bangalow Showground is now closed. People in the Bangalow region are encouraged to attend the Byron Central Hospital testing clinic, which is open seven days a week from 9am to 5pm.

We appreciate the feedback we receive from our communities, and we are continually reviewing the demand at testing clinics across the district.

Alongside our own health staff, we have seen an incredible response from private pathology providers and other health care providers in responding to the needs of our community in dealing with these latest developments.

I sincerely thank each and every health worker, and every member of the community who has taken the health advice on board and is doing their part to keep our community safe.