LOOKS like we've dodged a viral bullet so far - health authorities have this morning (August 19) reported there are no sites of concern connected to the positive COVID case in Kempsey.
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But investigations are ongoing and the public "will be notified if there is a public health reason to disclose venue information".
Mid North Coast Health posted on their Facebook page on Thursday that NSW Health had not identified any locations of concern following initial inquiries after a 14-year-old girl who had visited Newcastle tested positive to COVID on her return to Kempsey.
The area behind the Kempsey Central shopping complex is now a hive of activity as health workers set-up a drive-through COVID testing clinic.
The station at Riverside Park will open at midday and operate through to 6pm today (August 19). After that the clinic will be open from 8am to 6pm weekdays and 8am to 4pm on weekends. It was also accept walk-ins.
Meanwhile, there is considered opinion that the seven day lockdown locally will be extended - capturing the local government areas of Kempsey, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Nambucca Valley and Bellingen, and the Mid Coast (Taree, Forster, Gloucester).
An announcement on that is expected at the daily NSW Government briefing at 11am Thursday.
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Confirmation on Wednesday that the young girl had tested positive for the virus brought to an end a 478-day stretch of the Mid North Coast having no recorded cases.
Speaking at a press conference in Port Macquarie, Mid North Coast Local Health District (MNLCHD) chief executive Stewart Dowrick said contact tracers had been working at pace to determine the girl's movements in her trip home from Newcastle to Kempsey on Friday.
The teen - who did not have any symptoms - undertook a COVID-19 test on Sunday, self-isolated and then received notification she had tested positive late on Tuesday.
In NSW, the predominant COVID variant is Delta and it is having greater health impacts on younger people than previous strains.
Mr Dowrick said it had not been confirmed which variant the girl has contracted. Her family has also isolated.
"The Mid North Coast has been great with the Public Health Orders and working together as a region," Mr Dowrick said.
"It is just vital that everyone abides by the Public Health Orders that have been requested by the Premier and chief health officer.
"Please, if you don't need to venture out, stay at home. This is a very dangerous variant and COVID is a dangerous disease. People have lost their lives for a long time over this and in Australia. Abide by the public health rules and get vaccinated."
Mr Dowrick said vaccination rates across the Mid North Coast are increasing with GPs and pharmacists now on board to help health staff deliver the jab.
"Get your first dose, and get the second - this is our way out of this," Mr Dowrick said.
Mr Dowrick said more than 150,000 tests were completed across the State on Tuesday. More than 20,000 COVID tests have been undertaken in the Macleay region alone since last year.
"If you feel unwell please get a test. The number of people getting tested on the Mid North Coast has increased, including Kempsey, and I thank the community of Macleay in doing that," he said.
"Our health care teams across the region have been wonderful. They are resilient, they are strong, they'll do it in all sorts of weather and I thank them for their support of our region and community."
The reasons you may leave your home
- Shopping for food or other essential goods and services.
- Medical care or compassionate needs (people can leave home to have a COVID-19 vaccination unless you have been identified as a close contact).
- Exercise outdoors in groups of two or fewer (unless members of the same household).
- Every employer across NSW must require their employees to work from home unless it is not reasonably practicable.
- You can only move around in your own local government area (LGA) for essential purposes including shopping and exercise. If you must leave your LGA to do either of these, you must not go any further than 5kms from your home into another LGA.
Schooling will be done from home in most cases.
Masks must be worn indoors (not including the home) and in outdoor settings where you cannot socially distance from others. Anyone who leaves their home must carry a mask with them at all times.
Get vaccinated
The Mid North Coast Local Health District is vaccinating its staff and eligible members of the community when appointments become available.
The local health district has moved its COVID-19 vaccination clinic from Port Macquarie Base Hospital to 35 Grant Street.
Go to the online COVID-19 vaccine eligibility checker to find out when and where you can receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
You can also speak with your local participating pharmacist or GP about the vaccine that is right for you.
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