STATE OF PLAY SEPTEMBER 2022: So you think that the pandemic is over on the Northern Rivers?

 

As at 23 September 2022 there were est. 873 confirmed active COVID-19 cases spread across the 7 local government areas within the Northern Rivers region, according to the COVID LIVE dashboard.

All became infected in the 14 days up to 23 September.

The 26 local postcodes with multiple confirmed COVID-19 active cases between 9 to 23 September are:

2460

2462

2463

2464

2466

2469

2470

2471

2472

2473

2474

2476

2477

2478

2479

2480

2481

2482

2483

2484

2485

2486

2487

2488

2489

2490

NOTE: Postcodes are sourced from NSW Health September 2022 COVID-19 case location data. 

BACKGROUND

The Financial Review, 18 September 2022, excerpt:

The new national weekly COVID-19 reporting regime has been heavily criticised, with claims it is a mishmash of different measures, definitions and timings, with some jurisdictions not reporting testing and with the new federal report replaced by a “useless” PowerPoint document.

INDaily, 23 September 2022, excerpt:

The change from daily to weekly data releases has been widely criticised within the health sector.

State figures released last Friday differed starkly to the federal data because of different start and end dates for counting.

Epidemiologist Adrian Esterman said he agreed with colleagues who described the new format for the data dump as “useless”.

Another scientist described it as a “dog’s breakfast”.

COVID-19 Pandemic 2020-2022: State of Play in New South Wales and Northern NSW

According to Professor Raina McIntyre (Global Biosecurity, Head of Biosecurity Program, Kirby Institute UNSW New South Wales) on 2 April 2022, COVID-19 case numbers are bouncing around. Case numbers in New South Wales have increased since a low of 4,916 daily cases on 21 February 2022. “In the past week, they have ranged from 17,000 to more than 25,000 a day”.

“Part of the problem is the lack of testing and the lack of reporting. The message of “live with it” runs counter to the importance of reporting a positive test, if you can afford one. PCR testing remains restricted, so daily case numbers are a substantial underestimate and even the trends may not be accurate.” [my yellow highlighting]

As of 4pm 1 April 2022 there were 20,389 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in New South Wales and a total of 268,761 active COVID-19 cases across the state the majority of which are being self-managed at home.

There were 1,302 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital as at 4pm 1 April, including 47 people in intensive care, 16 of whom require ventilation.

NSW Health reported the deaths of 13 people with COVID-19 – seven women and six men. Of these, 7 people were aged in their 70s, 5 people were aged in their 80s and 1 person was aged in their 90s.

Included in the day’s total of newly confirmed COVID-19 cases were 520 people in Northern NSW.

There were 14 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital with 2 in intensive care.

These 520 cases were all 7 local government areas within Northern NSW:

Tweed Shire – 149 cases across postcodes 2483, 2484, 2485,

Lismore City – 82 cases across postcodes 2472, 2480;

Clarence Valley – 79 cases across postcodes 2460, 2462, 2453, 2464, 2466;

Ballina Shire – 75 cases across postcodes

Byron Shire – 73 cases across postcodes 2479, 2481, 2482, 2483,

Richmond Valley – 51 cases across postcodes 2469, 2470, 2471, 2473;

Kyogle Shire – 11 cases across postcode 2474;

TOTAL 520

According to the federal Dept. of Health as of 31 March 2022 there were 229 COVID-19 outbreaks in residential aged care facilities involving 976 residents. 

A full list of these NSW facilities can be found at

https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2022/04/covid-19-outbreaks-in-australian-residential-aged-care-facilities-1-april-2022_0.pdf

On 10 February 2022, the Australian Government announced changes to the definition of fully vaccinated against COVID-19 so as to include vaccine booster doses required for those 16 years and over. The new term in use is “up to date” vaccination.

Therefore as of 1 April 2022 only 60.2% of people aged 16 years to 90 years and older, 79.5% of children aged 12 to 15 years and 26.9% of children aged 5 to 11 years are considered to be “up to date” (fully vaccinated).

The fact that New South Wales is falling behind recommended vaccination rates is a concern given this statement. 

ATAGI Statement, 26 March 2022:

ATAGI recommends an additional booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine to increase vaccine protection before winter for selected population groups (see Table 1) who are at greatest risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and who have received their primary vaccination and first booster dose. These groups are:

• Adults aged 65 years and older
• Residents of aged care or disability care facilities
• People aged 16 years and older with severe immunocompromise (as defined in the ATAGI statement on the use of a 3rd primary dose of COVID-19 vaccine in individuals who are severely immunocompromised)
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 50 years and older.

The additional winter booster dose can be given from 4 months or longer after the person has received their first booster dose, or from 4 months after a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, if infection occurred since the person’s first COVID-19 booster dose.

ATAGI recommends that the rollout of the additional booster dose for these groups starts from April 2022, coinciding with the rollout of the 2022 influenza vaccination program.

As of 4pm 2 April 2022 there were 16,807 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in New South Wales and a total of ? active COVID-19 cases across the state the majority of which are being self-managed at home.

There were 1,355 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital as at 4pm 2 April, including 50 people in intensive care, 19 of whom require ventilation.

NSW Health reported the deaths of 11 people with COVID-19 – seven women and four men. Of these, 1 person was aged in their 30s, 1 person was in their 50s, 1 person was in their 70s, 6 people were in their 80s and 2 people were in their 90s.

Included in the day’s total of newly confirmed COVID-19 cases were 471 people in Northern NSW.

There were 14 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital with 1 in intensive care.

These 471 cases were all 7 local government areas within Northern NSW:

Tweed Shire – 144 cases across postcodes 2484, 2484, 2486, 2487, 2488, 2489;

Clarence Valley – 75 cases across postcodes 2460, 2462, 2462, 2464, 2465;

Byron Shire – 71 cases across postcodes 2479, 2481, 2482, 2483;

Lismore City – 67 cases across postcodes

Ballina Shire – 66 cases across postcodes 2478, 2479;

Richmond Valley – 41 cases across postcodes 2469, 2470, 2471, 2472, 2473;

Kyogle Shire – 5 cases across postcode 2474;

Tenterfield Shire – 2 cases across postcode 2476; Tenterfield is not in the NNSWLHD but shares a postcode so some cases are included here.

TOTAL 471

On deaths in Australia…..

At the tail end of the Delta wave in December 2021, where we could reasonably point to the start of the Omicron wave, we had 2006 deaths. The Omicron wave saw close to a 200 per cent increase in deaths compared with all previous waves combined, with 5928 deaths by March 29. This includes six deaths in children under 10, two in people aged 10-19 years, 16 in the group 20-29 and 52 deaths in people 30-39 years old. The largest single age group for deaths was in people 80-89 years, with 2025 deaths. Another 2100 or so deaths were recorded in people aged 40-79 years and the remainder – about 1400 deaths – in people aged 90 years and over. [Professor Raina McIntyre writing in The Saturday Paper, 2 April 2022]

As of 4pm 3 April 2022 there were 15,572 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in New South Wales and a total of 266,110 active COVID-19 cases across the state the majority of which are being self-managed at home.

There were 1,418 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital as at 4pm 3 April, including 56 people in intensive care, 18 of whom require ventilation.

NSW Health reported the deaths of 6 people with COVID-19 – four women and two men. Of these, 1 person was aged in their 70s, 3 people were in their 80s and 2 people were in their 90s.

Included in the day’s total of newly confirmed COVID-19 cases were 437 people in Northern NSW.

There were 19 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital with 1 in intensive care.

These 437 cases were all 7 local government areas within Northern NSW:

Tweed Shire – 113 cases across postcodes 2483, 2484, 2486, 2486, 2487, 2488, 2489;

Ballina Shire – 83 cases across postcodes 2477, 2478;

Byron Shire – 69 cases across postcodes 2479, 2481, 2482, 2483;

Clarence Valley – 62 cases across postcodes 2460, 2463, 2464;

Lismore City – 55 cases across postcode 2479;

Richmond Valley – 43 cases across postcodes 2469, 2479, 2471, 2472, 2473;

Kyogle Shire – 12 cases across postcode 2474.

TOTAL 437

A reminder......

NSW Health states: 

Everyone is urged to take simple precautions to protect each other from COVID-19, such as:

• use a mask in indoor settings where you cannot maintain a safe physical distance from others

• get your booster vaccine

• get a test and isolate immediately if you have any COVID symptoms

• clean your hands regularly.

SOURCES:

• 2022 media releases from NSW Health

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/news/Pages/2022-nsw-health.aspx

• COVID-19 in NSW - up to 4pm

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/stats-nsw.aspx#today

• Australian Dept. of Health, Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

https://www.health.gov.au/health-alerts/covid-19

BACKGROUND

Current SARS-C0V-2 Variants of Concern in Australia

B.1.617.2 (Delta) and sub-lineages AY.*

B.1.1.529 (Omicron) and sub-lineages BA.*

SARS-CoV-2 Variants Which Decided To Call Australia Home

SARS-CoV-2 Variant A.2.2, Identified 2020-03-17, Australian lineage.

Australia 92.0%, New_Zealand 2.0%, Canada 2.0%, United States of America 2.0%, United Kingdom 1.0%.

SARS-CoV-2 Variant D.2, Identified 2020-03-19, Alias of B.1.1.25.2, Australia.

Australia 100.0%, United States of America 0.0%, Chile 0.0%, Mexico 0.0%, United Kingdom 0.0%.

SARS-CoV-2 Variant D.3, Identified 2020-06-14, Alias of B.1.1.25.3, Australia.

Australia 100.0%.

SARS-CoV-2 Variant B.1.1.136, Identified 2020-06-03, Australian lineage.

Australia 86.0%, Turkey 7.0%, Russia 5.0%, United Kingdom 2.0%.

SARS-CoV-2 Variant B.1.1.142, Identified 2020-03-03, Australian lineage.

Australia 39.0%, United Kingdom 12.0%, Iceland 12.0%, Switzerland 6.0%, United States of America 6.0%.

___________________________

COVID-19 Update 8 February 2022: New South Wales & Northern NSW

 

In the 24 hours up to 4pm on Tuesday 8 February 2022 NSW Health reported that the were 10,312 new confirmed COVID-19 cases and 71,000 active COVID-19 cases across the state.

In that same 24 hours there were 20 confirmed COVID-19 related deaths - 11 men and 9 women.

The dead all over 60 years of age; 4 people were in their 60s, 2 people were in their 70s, 8 people were in their 80s, and 6 people were in their 90s. Thirteen people were from Sydney and suburbs, two people were from the Central Coast, one person was from the Hunter Valley, one person was from Albury, one person was from the state’s Central West, one person was from Newcastle, and one person was from Tweed Shire in northern NSW.

On 8 February there were 1,906 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, including 132 people in intensive care, 61 of whom require ventilation.

The number of self-managed COVID-19 cases (diagnosed within past 7 days up to 7 February) living at home or in insecure accommodation totalled 49,049 men, women & children.

By 8 February 2022 only 1,946,916 people have received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine out of a total NSW population of est. 8,189,300 - and only 595,552 have received an additional booster vaccine dose.

As at 4pm Tuesday 8 February 2022 across the 7 local government areas in Northern NSW Local Health District there were 481 new confirmed COVID-19 cases:

Tweed Shire – 139 cases across postcodes 2483, 2484, 2485, 2486, 2487, 2488, 2489, 2490;

Clarence Valley – 91 cases across postcodes 2460, 2462, 2463, 2464, 2466;

Lismore City – 74 cases across postcodes 2472, 2480;

Ballina Shire – 70 cases across postcodes 2477, 2478;

Byron Shire – 48 cases across postcodes 2479, 2481, 2482, 2483;

Richmond Valley – 43 cases across postcodes 2469, 2470, 2471, 2473;

Kyogle Shire – 15 cases across postcode 2474;

Tenterfield Shire* – 1 cases in postcode 2372 (*Tenterfield is in a different Local Health District, but postcodes put cases in NNSWLHD).

TOTAL 481

NOTE: Postcode list may be incomplete as NSW Health location database has not been updated since 7 February 2022.

One death of a person in their 90s from Tweed Shire was recorded in 24hrs to 4pm 8 February 2022 and there are 23 COVID-19 positive patients in hospital in Northern NSW, with 4 of these in ICU.

The Echo, 9 February 2022:

According to the COVID-Live website Ballina LGA currently has 360 active cases while Byron has 215, Clarence Valley 304, Kyogle 28, Lismore 190, Richmond Valley 170, Tenterfield 26, and Tweed LGA 1,183 active cases of COVID-19.

And the long journey through the global COVD-19 pandemic continues for New South Wales & Northern NSW

# NSW recorded 35,054 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm Tuesday, 4 January 2022 and 8 deaths.

The NSW death toll now stands at 685 men, women and children since the pademic first began in January 2020.

Currently there are 1,491 COVID-19 cases admitted across 63 hospitals, with 119 people in intensive care, 32 of whom require ventilation.

There are currently 186,552 confirmed COVID-19 cases under self-management outside of a hospital setting. Note: this does not include those infected people who have been denied access to PCR testing since late December 2021 and are therefore invisible in all official state datasets.

Of the 35,054 cases reported to 8pm last night, 6,542 are from South Western Sydney Local Health District (LHD), 5,989 are from Western Sydney LHD, 5,710 are from South Eastern Sydney LHD, 3,827 are from Sydney LHD, 3,667 are from Northern Sydney LHD, 2,961 are from Hunter New England LHD, 1,502 are from Nepean Blue Mountains LHD, 1,496 are from Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD, 588 are from Central Coast LHD, 576 are from Northern NSW LHD, 501 are from Western NSW LHD, 392 are from Mid North Coast LHD, 379 are from Murrumbidgee LHD, 345 are from Southern NSW LHD, 24 are from Far West LHD, eight are in correctional settings and 547 are yet to be assigned to an LHD.

There were 108,844 COVID-19 tests reported to 8pm on 4 January revealing a test positivity rate of 32.2%.

NSW Health reports that on 4 January there were 184,413 active COVID-19 cases state-wide.

As at 8m on Tuesday, 4 January there were 576 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 across the 7 local government areas in the Northern NSW Local Health District.

Tweed Shire – 240 cases across postcodes 2483, 2484, 2485, 2486, 2487, 2488, 2489;

Ballina Shire – 102 cases across postcodes 2477, 2478;

Byron Shire – 96 cases across postcodes 2479, 2481, 2482, 2483;

Clarence Valley – 67 cases across postcodes 2460, 2462, 2463, 2464;

Lismore City – 43 cases across postcodes 2472, 2480;

Richmond Valley – 25 cases across postcodes 2469, 2470, 2471, 2473,

Kyogle Shire – 3 cases in postcode 2474.

TOTAL 576

There are currently 26 COVID-19 positive patients in hospital in Northern NSW, with 4 of these in ICU.

# NSW recorded 34,994 new cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm Wednesday, 5 January 2022 and 6 deaths.

The NSW death toll now stands at 691 men, women and children since the pademic first began in January 2020.

There are currently 1,609 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 131 people in intensive care, 38 of whom require ventilation.

Of the 34,994 cases reported to 8pm last night, 5,556 are from South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (LHD), 5,456 are from Western Sydney LHD, 5,364 are from South Western Sydney LHD, 4,226 are from Sydney LHD, 3,538 are from Northern Sydney LHD, 3,424 are from Hunter New England LHD, 1,633 are from Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD, 1,452 are from Nepean Blue Mountains LHD, 1,116 are from Central Coast LHD, 686 are from Northern NSW LHD, 637 are from Mid North Coast LHD, 524 are from Western NSW LHD, 419 are from Murrumbidgee LHD, 322 are from Southern NSW LHD, 30 are from Far West LHD, 11 are in correctional settings two are in hotel quarantine and 598 are yet to be assigned to an LHD.

There were 111,231 COVID-19 tests reported to 8pm 5 January, with an as yet unconfirmed test positivity rate. However, a number of journalists are reporting 35% of all tests on 5 January were positive for COVID-19.

As at 8m on Wednesday, 5 January there were 686 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 across the 7 local government areas in the Northern NSW Local Health District and 1 death in Ballina LGA.

Byron Shire – 236 cases across postcodes 2479, 2481, 2482, 2483;

Tweed Shire – 224 cases across postcodes 2483, 2484, 2485, 2486, 2487, 2488, 2489, 2490;

Ballina Shire – 92 cases across postcodes 2477, 2478;

Lismore City – 81 cases across postcodes 2472, 2480;

Richmond Valley – 21 cases across postcodes 2469, 2470, 2471, 2473;

Clarence Valley – 20 cases across postcodes 2460, 2462, 2463, 2464; 2466;

Kyogle Shire – 9 cases across postcodes 2474, 2476;

Tenterfield Shire – 3 cases across postcodes 2372, 2476.

Note: Tenterfield is in the Hunter-New England Local Health District, but postcodes put cases in NNSWLHD

TOTAL 686

There are currently 25 COVID-19 positive patients in hospital in Northern NSW, with 4 of these in ICU. 

There is a growing suspicion that there could be almost 2 million cases of COVID-19 not included in NSW Health data due to Perrottett Government mismanagement of the pandemic public health response in the last three months of 2021

 

NSW recorded 23,131 new cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm Monday, 3 January 2022, including 2 deaths.

There are currently 1,344 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 105 people in intensive care, 27 of whom require ventilation.

There were 83,376 COVID-19 tests recorded in the 24 hours up to 8pm and, the positivity rate¹ is being reported as 27.5% – up 7.72% on 1 January’s positivity percentage.

It is noted that the World Health Organisation considers that it requires a positivity rate under 5% for an epidemic to be considered controlled; and then, only when the community transmission rate had declined by at least 50% over a 3-week period since the latest peak, along with a continuous decline in the observed incidence of confirmed and probable cases, as well as five other criteria met.

Total number of active COVID-19 cases in the state is est. 157,873 men, women & children – including at least one baby under 12 months of age.

Of the 23,131 cases reported to 8pm last night, 4,602 are from South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (LHD), 4,258 are from South Western Sydney LHD, 3,680 are from Western Sydney LHD, 2,969 are from Sydney LHD, 1,979 are from Northern Sydney LHD, 1,689 are from Hunter New England LHD, 927 are from Nepean Blue Mountains LHD, 703 are from Central Coast LHD, 525 are from Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD, 485 are from Northern NSW LHD, 392 are from Mid North Coast LHD, 227 are from Murrumbidgee LHD, 150 are from Western NSW LHD, 124 are from Southern NSW LHD, three are from Far West LHD, two are in correctional settings and 416 are yet to be assigned to an LHD.

Adjunct Professor James Cook University, Alan Baxter, has aired the possibility that the under reporting of COVID-19 cases in NSW may represent “a little under 2 million” people.

To 8pm Monday, 3 January, 485 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in the 7 local governments areas within the Northern NSW Local Health District:

Byron Shire – 156 cases across postcodes 2479, 2481, 2482, 2483;

Tweed Shire – 136 cases across postcodes 2483, 2484, 2485, 2486, 2487, 2488, 2489, 2490;

Ballina Shire – 101 cases across postcodes 2477, 2478;

Lismore City – 43 cases across postcodes 2472, 2480;

Clarence Valley – 33 cases across postcodes 2460, 2463, 2464, 2466;

Richmond Valley – 12 cases across postcodes 2469, 2470, 2471;

Kyogle Shire – 4 cases in postcode 2474.

TOTAL 485

There are currently 20 COVID-19 positive patients in hospital in Northern NSW, with 4 of these in intensive care.

NOTES

1. Using Percent Positivity Calculation for Public Health Surveillance

CDC has a formula for calculating percent positivity of laboratory test results.

• Obtain the numerator — the number of positive SARS-CoV-2 Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) results.

• Obtain the denominator — the total number of SARS-CoV-2 NAAT test results, both positive and negative.

• Divide the numerator by the denominator.

• Multiply the result by 100 to obtain the percentage.

[https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/lab/resources/calculating-percent-positivity.html]

Sources

• https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/news/Pages/2021-nsw-health.aspx

• https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/news/Pages/2022-nsw-health.aspx

• https://nnswlhd.health.nsw.gov.au/blog/category/media-releases/

SARS-CoV-2 Delta & Omicron Variants in NSW and Northern NSW, December 2021 - Part Four

Following on from:

• SARS-CoV-2 Delta and Omicron Variants in NSW and Northern NSW, 1-11 December 2021 
• SARS-CoV-2 Delta & Omicron Variants in NSW and Northern NSW, December 2021 - Part Two 
• SARS-CoV-2 Delta & Omicron Variants in NSW and Northern NSW, December 2021 - Part Three.

On 17 December 2021 NSW Health announced changes to its COVID-19 test, contact and trace system. From this point forward the individual who had a confirmed COVID-19 positive test will be informed of this fact by NSW Health but it will be the personal responsibility of the infected person to inform others in their family, friendship and workplace groups that they too may have contracted the virus.

NSW Health & Northern NSW Local Health District, based on media release excerpts and datasets, COVID-19 data for Friday, 17 December 2021:

# NSW recorded 2,482 new cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm on Friday 17 December 2021, including 1 death.

A total of 226 cases of COVID-19 with the Omicron variant of concern have been confirmed by the required additional testing in NSW. However, on the basis that specific genomic testing showed that 9.10% of Friday’s confirmed COVID-19 cases were caused by SARS-C0V-2 Omicron Variant. According to NSW Health all COVID-19 cases from this point forward will be assumed to be caused by the Omicron variant without initial variant specific investigation.

There are currently 206 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 26 people in intensive care, nine of whom require ventilation.

Across NSW, 93.3% of people aged 16 and over and 78% of people aged 12 to 15 years, are fully vaccinated.

• Of the 2,482 cases reported to 8pm last night, 899 are from Hunter New England Local Health District (LHD), 362 are from South Eastern Sydney LHD, 286 are from South Western Sydney LHD, 232 are from Sydney LHD, 219 are from Western Sydney LHD, 159 are from Northern Sydney LHD, 81 are from Central Coast LHD, 62 are from Northern NSW LHD, 42 are from Nepean Blue Mountains LHD, 35 are from Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD, 29 are from Western NSW LHD, 28 are from Mid North Coast LHD, 13 are from Murrumbidgee LHD, six are from Southern NSW LHD, and 29 are yet to be assigned to an LHD. [my yellow highlighting]

The total number of active COVID-19 cases now stands at 11,760 people – with est. 11,500 of these ill people remaining at home as of 17 December.

To 8pm 17 December, 62 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in 6 of the 7 local government areas in Northern NSW:

• Byron Shire – 46 cases across postcodes 2479, 2481, 2482, 2483;

• Ballina Shire – 8 cases across postcodes 2477, 2478; 

• Lismore City – 3 cases across postcodes 2480, 

• Clarence Valley – 2 cases across postcode 2460;

• Kyogle – 2 cases across postcode 2474;

• Tweed Shire – 1 case in postcode 2483;

• Richmond Valley – 0 cases.

TOTAL 62

There is one COVID-positive patient in hospital in Northern NSW.

To date, no cases in NNSWLHD have been confirmed as the Omicron variant of concern.

The most common locations for transmission of COVID-19 in our region continue to be pubs, parties and gatherings in indoor spaces.[my yellow highlighting]

BACKGROUND

UK Health Security Agency 1... by clarencegirl Click on symbol in lower righthand corner to enlarge

# NSW recorded 2,566 new cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm Saturday, 18 December 2021.

A total of 313 cases of COVID-19 with the Omicron variant of concern have been confirmed by the required additional genomic sequencing tests. However, even though the Omicron variant caused just 12.19% of the 2,566 new cases that Friday; “NSW Health advises that the Omicron variant of concern likely accounts for the majority of today’s cases”.  

As at 18 December there are 14,050 active cases of COVID-19 in the state and est. 25,687 active cases Australia-wide.

There are currently 227 COVID-19 cases admitted to NSW hospitals, with 28 people in intensive care, ten of whom require ventilation. Australia-wide that number is est. 717 cases currently hospitalized.

To date the total number of persons in NSW confirmed to have contracted COVID-19 since January 2020 are 97,369 individuals, of whom 645 have died. According to the Australian Dept. of Heath, nationally that cumulative total of confirmed cases is 246,797 individuals of whom 2,142 have died. 

So as of 18 December 2021, 39.45% of all confirmed COVID-19 cases were recorded in New South Wales, along with 30.11% of all COVID-19 related deaths.

• Of the 2,566 cases reported to 8pm last night, 712 are from Hunter New England Local Health District (LHD), 446 are from South Eastern Sydney LHD, 303 are from South Western Sydney LHD, 311 are from Sydney LHD, 279 are from Western Sydney LHD, 189 are from Northern Sydney LHD, 72 are from Central Coast LHD, 66 are from Northern NSW LHD, 50 are from Nepean Blue Mountains LHD, 31 are from Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD, 37 are from Western NSW LHD, 23 are from Mid North Coast LHD, six are from Murrumbidgee LHD, seven are from Southern NSW LHD, one is from Far West LHD and 33 are yet to be assigned to an LHD. [my yellow highlighting]

To 8pm 18 December, 66 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in 5 of the 7 local government areas in Northern NSW:

• Byron Shire – 49 cases across postcodes 2479, 2481, 2482, 2483;

• Ballina Shire – 8 cases across postcodes 2478;

• Tweed Shire – 4 cases across postcodes 2484, 2487, 2489;

• Lismore City – 3 cases across postcode 2480; 

• Richmond Valley – 2 cases across postcodes 2469, 2473; 

• Clarence Valley – 0 cases

• Kyogle Shire – 0 cases

TOTAL 66

There are two COVID-19 infected patients in hospital in Northern NSW.

UPDATE

# NSW recorded 2,501 new cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm Sunday 19 December 2021.

On 19 December the total of active COVID-19 cases in NSW was 16,225 persons.

There are currently 261 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 33 people in intensive care, 11 of whom require ventilation.

• Of the 2,501 cases reported to 8pm last night, 660 are from Hunter New England Local Health District (LHD), 417 are from South Eastern Sydney LHD, 339 are from Sydney LHD, 315 are from Western Sydney LHD, 250 are from South Western Sydney LHD, 227 are from Northern Sydney LHD, 77 are from Central Coast LHD, 40 are from Nepean Blue Mountains LHD, 34 are from Northern NSW LHD, 24 are from Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD, 24 are from Mid North Coast LHD, 20 are from Western NSW LHD, nine are from Murrumbidgee LHD, seven are from Far West LHD, four are from Southern NSW LHD, and 54 are yet to be assigned to an LHD.

To 8pm 19 December, 34 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in 5 of the 7 local government areas of Northern NSW:

The following postcode list is incomplete due to corrupted/incomplete published dataset

• Byron Shire – 21 cases across postcodes 2481, 2482, 2483,

• Ballina Shire – 4 cases across postcodes 2478,

• Lismore City – 4 cases across postcodes 2472, 2480,

• Tweed Shire – 4 cases across postcodes 2484, 2489,

• Clarence Valley – 1 case across postcode

• Kyogle Shire – 0 cases

• Richmond Valley – 0 cases

TOTAL 34

There are five COVID-positive patients in hospital in Northern NSW.

*