THE Mid North Coast Health District (MNCLHD) is on alert after 16 people across the region tested positive to COVID-19 overnight to 8pm, October 20.
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Fifteen cases were in Kempsey and one case was diagnosed in Port Macquarie.
Twelve of the cases are linked to a known case or cluster, which includes seven from the same household, and the source of the infection of four cases is under investigation.
This brings Kempsey's positive COVID numbers total in the last two weeks alone to 33.
Public health authorities are now working hard to determine venues of concern and possible exposure sites for both regions as the investigate links in these cases.
There have been 73 cases reported in the MNCLHD since the beginning of the current NSW outbreak.
MNCLHD chief executive Stewart Dowrick thanked the community for coming out for testing in high numbers.
"The Mid North Coast community's response to the recent call for increased COVID-19 testing has been fantastic, with 950 tests conducted across the region yesterday (Wednesday), 652 of which were at Kempsey," Mr Dowrick said.
"I'd like to thank our wonderful staff at our testing clinics for all their tireless efforts and the community for coming forward for testing and helping us to keep each other safe."
There is a new drive-through clinic in Kempsey at the corner of Sydney and Verge streets (near the netball courts). It is open between 8am-4pm weekdays and 8am and 2pm on weekends.
Residents converged on the clinic on Thursday morning, many with their children, to get tested.
Amanda Lewthwaite said the current situation was quite concerning.
"It's quite scary, my kids actually go to the Seventh Day Adventist school so I brought the whole lot to be responsible," she said while waiting in her car to get tested.
"My little boy needs to return to preschool and because he does pre-kindy and preschool, they have just asked for a negative result which is fair enough, completely understandable."
Two schools in Kempsey were forced to close this week sending hundreds of staff, students and their families into isolation.
Kempsey Adventist School (KAS) went into immediate lock down on Wednesday afternoon after it was informed two members of the school community had tested positive to COVID-19.
"We have been advised that two members of the school community have tested positive to COVID-19," the school issued in a statement to parents on Wednesday.
"As a result, KAS will be closed effective immediately to allow for a deep clean of the site."
All staff and students will now be required to self-isolate until they receive further advice. The school will remained closed until Friday when the situation will be reviewed.
Kempsey West Public School also shut the gates late Tuesday after it was notified of a positive COVID case in the school community.
Principal Todd Potter said the school was declared non-operational as soon as the advice was received by the Department of Education via NSW Health authorities. It was expected to re-open today (Thursday)
NSW Health has urged anyone who has been unwell or has symptoms such as a fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, loss of smell/taste, muscle/joint pains, diarrhoea, nausea/vomiting or extreme tiredness to be tested at one of the COVID-19 testing clinics.
Member for Oxley Melinda Pavey said people must continue to maintain good COVID practices, wear masks, social distance and get tested if they have symptoms.
"I'd like to take the opportunity to remind people to please remain vigilant and to take all necessary steps to keep our community safe and our businesses open," she said.
During the first wave of COVID-19 in 2020, the MNCLHD reported a total of 51 cases and one COVID-related death before a 475 day virus-free run in the community.
That run ended on August 13, 2021 when a Kempsey teen tested positive after returning home from Newcastle.
COVID testing and vaccination
To stay up to date on venues of concern, you can CLICK HERE and do a postcode search.
A full list of clinic locations and opening hours are listed on the NSW government website at www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/how-to-protect-yourself-and-others/clinics.
Find available vaccination bookings at the Australian 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.