BUNNINGS and Little Shack in Port Macquarie have been named exposure sites linked to a positive COVID-19 case on the Mid North Coast.
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Mid North Coast Local Health District (MNCLHD) confirmed the information on Friday (August 20).
A 14-year-old girl contracted the virus in Newcastle. She did not have any symptoms and returned home to Kempsey after visiting family on August 13.
She was tested on August 15 and on Tuesday, it was confirmed she had the virus.
A second person in Kempsey has now also tested positive.
Are you a casual contact?
Anyone who attended Bunnings or Little Shack at the dates and times listed is a casual contact who must immediately get tested and isolate until a negative result is received.
- Little Shack Cafe, 1 Munster Street (on the Town Green), Port Macquarie - Saturday 14 August, 2pm to 3.30pm
- Bunnings Warehouse, 18 John Oxley Drive, Port Macquarie - Saturday 14 August, 3.45pm to 4.05pm
All close contacts have been contacted and informed as part of normal contract tracing processes. They must get tested and isolate for 14 days, regardless of the result, MNCLHD confirmed.
Anyone else who has been at the venues at the date and time listed is also considered a casual contact.
"We were told about it this morning (August 20) and immediately went into make sure we were working through the appropriate NSW Health guidelines," Mr Flower said.
"We made the decision to close the venue and make sure it is deep cleaned which is what we are doing right now.
"(NSW Health) is only asking staff who were there on that day to get tested. But we're taking extra precautions and have asked all staff who work there to get tested.
"One of the benefits of a venue like us is that we are an outdoor venue. They were thinking it was quite a casual or low risk. Regardless, we taking all measures to make sure our staff and the community come out of this feeling reassured and that we are a safe venue."
The news comes as a second positive case, a close contact of the 14-year-old girl, was also confirmed overnight.
Both positive cases are isolating at home and their family and close contacts have been tested and are also isolating.
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Public health investigations are ongoing and further advice will be provided as it becomes available.
"The second case is related to the first case in Kempsey, they're not relatives at all, just a casual visit," MNCLHD chief executive Stewart Dowrick said.
"The family involved and young person involved have been fully cooperative with officials and NSW Health. They're self-isolating now."
Virus fragments have also been detected in sewage samples taken from Port Macquarie sewage treatment plant.
It is the second time the virus has been detected in small amounts in the region. Earlier this month virus fragments were detected at Bonny Hills and Coffs Harbour waste water treatment plants.
MNCLHD urges anyone feeling unwell with even with the mildest of symptoms to come forward for testing.
There is a drive-through testing centre at Regional Stadium on Boundary Street, Port Macquarie.
To find a testing clinic near you, visit the NSW Government website www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/health-and-wellbeing/clinics
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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