Sunday 5 December 2021

COVID-19 State of Play December 2021: New South Wales & Northern Rivers region



According to NSW Health NSW there were 325 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 and one COVID-19 related death in the 24 hours to 8pm Friday 3 December 2021.


Of the 325 cases reported to 8pm last night, 100 are from South Western Sydney Local Health District (LHD), 70 rom Western Sydney LHD, 47 from South Eastern Sydney LHD, 34 from Sydney LHD, 19 from Northern Sydney LHD, 14 from Western NSW LHD, 12 from Hunter New England LHD, 9 from Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD, 5 from Nepean Blue Mountains LHD, 3 from Central Coast LHD, 3 from Northern NSW LHD, 2 from Southern NSW LHD, one from Far West NSW LHD, one from Mid North Coast LHD, one from Murrumbidgee LHD, and 4 are yet to be assigned to a LHD.


From 1 December to 3 December 2021 there were 993 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection and one death in New South Wales. Included in this figure were 5 new confirmed COVID-19 Omicron Variant infections.


There are now a total of 13 cases of the Omicron Variant in New South Wales. Included in that count are 3 Year 9 students from the Regents Park Christian School in Western Sydney and this cluster appears to be the first evidence of community transmission of SARS-C0V-2 Omicron Variant in the state.


Three new cases of COVID-19 were reported for Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) in the 24 hours to 8pm 3 December.


One case is located in Grafton, the source is under investigation. One case is located in the Ballina LGA, a household contact of a confirmed case. One case is located in Byron Bay, a household contact of a confirmed case.


Northern NSW Local Health District can also confirm that one additional case has been confirmed in a traveller to the region, who has been visiting Byron Bay. This case is not reflected in NNSWLHD’s case tally as the infection was acquired elsewhere.


Since 1 December 2021 there have been 2 confirmed new COVID-19 cases reported in Grafton & 1 in Yamba in the Clarence Valley local government area (LGA), 1 in Lismore LGA, 1 in Ballina LGA and 3 two additional cases have been confirmed in travellers to the region visiting Byron Bay.


Community transmission of the virus is still occurring in Northern NSW.


The Northern Star online, 3 December 2021:


Almost half of scheduled elective surgeries at Lismore Base Hospital were cancelled on Tuesday after the staff were told to self isolate.

Northern NSW Local Health District chief executive Wayne Jones said the medical workers came into contact with a confirmed Covid-19 case at the weekend.

Affected staff members are now able to return to work, provided they have no symptoms of illness,” he said.

We apologise to patients whose surgery was postponed, and will reschedule affected patients for their surgery as soon as possible.

We thank our staff for their swift and professional actions in getting tested and isolating as requested.”

Mr Jones on Tuesday said emergency and urgent surgery continued normally….. 


In its most recent health care settings report NSW Health stated that in the week ending 30 November 2021 there were 202 health care workers in public health order isolation in the state.


No comments: