There have been two cases of COVID-19 in the Mid North Coast Local Health District (MNCLHD) reported to 8pm last night (September 29).
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It was reported yesterday that the Kempsey LGA had recorded three positive COVID cases, however NSW Health later excluded one of these cases.
One of the two cases reported today is from the Kempsey region and is a close household contact of an earlier case diagnosed last weekend. The person has been isolating and was not infectious in the community.
The second case is from South West Rocks. This case was announced yesterday and is included in today's numbers.
There have now been 19 cases reported in MNCLHD since the beginning of the current NSW outbreak.
"The Mid North Coast community's response to the recent call for increased COVID-19 testing has been fantastic, with more than 3,000 tests conducted at NSW Health clinics across the region so far this week," Mid North Coast Health District chief executive Stewart Dowrick said.
Stay-at-home orders for the Port Macquarie Local Government Area (LGA) were introduced from 6pm on September 28 for seven days due to an increased COVID-19 public health risk.
These stay-at-home orders will also apply to anyone who has been in the Port Macquarie LGA since September 17.
Everyone in the Port Macquarie LGA must stay at home unless it is for an essential reason, which includes:
- shopping for food
- medical care
- getting vaccinated
- compassionate needs
- exercise
- work or tertiary education if you can't work or study at home.
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The stay-at-home order for the Kempsey LGA has been lifted. However, this order may be reintroduced if new information indicates an increased public health risk.
People in Kempsey need to remain particularly vigilant, practice COVID-safe behaviours and get tested at the first sign of even mild symptoms.
There are 20 venues of concern linked to two positive COVID cases in Port Macquarie.
MNCLHD released the extensive list on Sunday night (September 26).
Port Macquarie Airport and two businesses in Nambucca Heads have also been listed as venues of concern after two other confirmed cases of COVID-19 visited the region separately.
NSW has recorded 941 new COVID-19 cases and six deaths in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.
Six people died with COVID in the 24 hours to 8pm on Wednesday, four men and two women.
NSW Health said four were unvaccinated, while two had received just one dose of a vaccine.
Three were in their 70s, two in their 80s and one in their 90s.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian also reaffirmed that restrictions would begin to ease on October 11.
Some freedoms could arrive earlier than December 1, Ms Berejiklian said, instead being bundled into the 80 per cent milestone expected to arrive in late October.
NSW hit 86.7 per cent first doses, Premier Gladys Berejiklian said, with 62.9 per cent double dosed.
Ms Berejiklian said the state would "definitely" hit 70 per cent by October 11, as expected.
47.6 per cent of 12 to 16 year olds have also received a first dose.
Get tested
To determine the extent of the risk and detect any further potential COVID-19 cases, NSW Health is calling on the community to come forward for testing in large numbers.
A pop-up drive-through COVID-19 testing clinic will be open at Lake Cathie Sporting Complex from 8am to 4pm on Thursday and Friday (September 30 and October 1).
The drive-through COVID-19 testing clinic at Port Macquarie Regional Stadium is open from 8am to 4pm weekdays and 8am to 2pm on weekends.
The drive-through (with walk-in available) testing clinic in Kempsey is located at Austral Street Boat Ramp (known as Riverside Boat Ramp) and is open from 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 2pm on Saturday and Sunday.
"We continue to urge anyone feeling unwell - even with the mildest of symptoms such as a runny nose, scratchy or sore throat, cough, fever, shortness of breath, headache, tiredness, loss of taste or smell, nausea, diarrhoea or muscle aches - to self-isolate and seek COVID-19 testing," Mr Dowrick said.
For a list of testing clinics across the Mid North Coast visit: https://mnclhd.health.nsw.gov.au/.../covid-19.../
Get vaccinated
MNCLHD is anticipating a vaccination rate of about 96 per cent among its staff at the September 30 deadline set out under the NSW Public Health Order.
"MNCLHD has been working closely with the small number of staff who are yet to be vaccinated to ensure they have the information they need to make their decision," Mr Dowrick said.
"While the vast majority of staff have embraced vaccination, unfortunately a very small minority have indicated they do not wish to be vaccinated.
"We have been working with these staff up to the last minute to encourage them to start their vaccination. If staff choose to remain unvaccinated and vacate their role, then we will prioritise recruitment action to that vacancy."
Find available bookings at the Commonwealth Government's COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Finder (previously eligibility checker), or you can also call Health Direct on 1800 571 155 for assistance to book.