Back To The Future? Newspoll voting intention survey 6-12 February 2022, published 13 February

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/newspoll

The graph displayed above contains the results of 37 Newspoll surveys published between 4 February 2018 and 13 February 2022.

Two days after Scott Morrison became Australia's 30th prime minister the Newspoll survey of 26 September 2018 showed the 'two party preferred' vote stood at Labor 56 (unchanged) to Coalition 44 (-5).

 

The day before the 18 May 2019 federal general election Newspoll showed the 'two party preferred' vote stood at Labor 51.5 to Coalition 48.5. The Coalition went on to win the 2019 election 77 seats to 68 seats, with a 9 seat majority in the House of Representatives - since reduced to an 8 seat majority.

Six times between 10 November 2019 and 6 June 2021 the 'two party preferred' vote stood at 50-50.

On 13 February 2022 - just 66 days out from the last possible date for the constitutionally required federal general election - Newspoll showed the 'two party preferred' vote stood at Labor 55 to Coalition 45.

 

The Australian, Newspoll published on 13 February 2022 revealed:

FIRST PREFERENCE VOTE:

Coalition 34% (unchanged)

Labor 41% (unchanged)

TWO PARTY PREFERRED VOTE:

Coalition 45% (+1)

Labor 55% (-1)

The Greens 8% (-3)

Pauline Hanson’s One Nation 3% (unchanged)

Others 14% (+3)

LEADER’S PERFORMANCE:

Scott Morrison

Approval 40% (+1) Disapproval 56% (-2)

Anthony Albanese

Approval 37% (-3) Disapproval 46% (+3)

BETTER PRIME MINISTER:

Scott Morrison 43% (unchanged)

Anthony Albanese 38% (-3)

Unsure 19%

Newspoll survey was conducted on Wednesday 9 February to Saturday 13 February 2022 from a sample of 1,526 respondents.

COVID-19 Global Pandemic State of Play: New South Wales & Northern NSW 28 January 2022

AUSTRALIA

By Wednesday 26 January 2022 only est. 78.25% of the entire Australian population (ABS pop 2021) had received 2 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine & none those were aged between 0-11 years. Only 27.58% total pop had received a booster shot

As at 3pm on Friday 28 January 2022, a total of 29,982 new confirmed COVID-10 cases have been reported in Australia, along with 97 COVID-19 related deaths.

A total of 4,953 COVID-19 cases were hospitalised across all states and territories, with 142 in intensive care units (ICU).

Nationally there were approximately 393,038 active cases, i.e. infections which had occurred in the last 1-7 days.

The national diagnostic test positivity rate was 3.1% on 28 January and, as at 27 January nationally the source of all infections recorded over a 24 hour period was Overseas 0.6% and Locally Acquired 23.8% with the remaining 75.6% of cases remaining under investigation.

Currently SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern Delta and Omicron, along with Omicron BA2, are active in the Australian population.

NEW SOUTH WALES

In the 24 hours up to 8pm Friday 28 January 2022 there were 13,354 confirmed COVID-19 cases, along with 49 COVID-19 related deaths; 28 women and 21 men.

Of the 49 people who died; two people were in their 60s, 10 people were in their 70s, 17 people were in their 80s, 19 people were in their 90s, and one person was aged 100 years old.

There are currently 2,693 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospitals across the state, including 186 people in intensive care, 73 of whom require ventilation.

Of the 13,354 positive test results in the previous 24 hours: 1,841 are from South Western Sydney Local Health District (LHD) (1,141 PCR and 700 RATs), 1,720 are from Hunter New England LHD (1,075 PCR and 645 RATs), 1,646 are from Western Sydney LHD (1,047 PCR and 599 RATs), 1,504 from South Eastern Sydney LHD (864 PCR and 640 RATs), 1,283 from Northern Sydney LHD (660 PCR and 623 RATs), 993 are from Sydney LHD (609 PCR and 384 RATs), 782 are from Illawarra Shoalhaven (511 PCR and 271 RATs), 684 are from the Central Coast (416 PCR and 268 RATs), 665 are from Nepean Blue Mountains LHD (413 PCR and 252 RATs), 529 are from Northern NSW LHD (274 PCR and 255 RATs), 471 are from Western NSW LHD (282 PCR and 189 RATs), 434 are from Murrumbidgee LHD (194 PCR and 240 RATs), 323 are from Mid North Coast LHD (96 PCR and 227 RATs), 247 are from Southern NSW LHD (152 PCR and 95 RATs), 30 are from Far West LHD (13 PCR and 17 RATs), 15 are in correctional settings, and 187 are yet to be assigned to an LHD (166 PCR and 21 RATs). [my yellow highlighting]

The diagnostic test positivity rate for NSW was est. 3.1% on 28 January 2022.

NORTHERN NSW

As at 8pm 28 January 2022 there were a total of 529 new confirmed COVID-19 cases were recorded across the 7 local government areas in the Northern NSW Local Health District, along with one COVID-19 related death.

There are 36 COVID-19 positive patients in hospital in Northern NSW, with 6 of these in ICU.

The daily infection spread breakdown was as follows:

Tweed Shire – 218 cases with one death of a person in aged in his/her 80s.

Ballina Shire -77 cases

Clarence Valley - 67 cases

Byron Shire - 61 cases

Lismore City - 60 cases

Richmond Valley - 41 cases

Kyogle Shire - 5 cases

TOTAL 529

NOTE: Marked under reporting of new daily cases impacts on data produced at federal, state and local government area level by government agencies and, on any given date statistics compiled by federal agencies may be incomplete for the dates stated.

SOURCES

• https://www.health.gov.au/health-alerts/covid-19/case-numbers-and-statistics

• https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2022/01/covid-19-vaccine-rollout-update-29-january-2022.pdf

• https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/news/Pages/20220129_00.aspx

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

• https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2022/01/coronavirus-covid-19-at-a-glance-27-january-2022.pdf

Comparing active cases and COVID-19 related deaths on the Australian east coast mainland as of Monday 17 January 2022

QUEENSLAND

As of 7pm Monday 17 January 2022 there were 86,561 confirmed active COVID-19 cases in Queensland. There were 819 COVID-19 cases in hospital – with 50 active cases in ICU, including 18 on a ventilator. A total of 16 deaths occurred of three people in their 70s, eight in their 80s, four in their 90s and one person aged over 100.

NEW SOUTH WALES

As of 8pm Monday 17 January 2022 there were 326,356 confirmed active COVID-19 cases in NSW. There were 2,850 COVID-19 cases in hospital – with 209 active cases in ICU, including 63 on a ventilator. A total of 36 deaths occurred - one person was aged in their 40s, two people were aged in their 50s, one person was aged in their 60s, eleven people were in their 70s, twelve people were in their 80s and nine people were in their 90s.

AUSTRALIAN CAPITOL TERRITORY

As of 8pm Monday 17 January 2022 there were 3,205 confirmed active COVID-19 cases in NSW. There were 52 COVID-19 cases in hospital – with 4 active cases in ICU, including 2 on a ventilator. A total of one death occurred

VICTORIA

As of 4pm Monday 17 January 2022 there were 235,035 confirmed active COVID-19 cases in Victoria. There are 1,152 COVID-19 cases in hospital – with 93 active cases in ICU, including 43 on a ventilator, and 34 cleared cases in ICU. A total of 22 deaths occurred of people aged in their 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s.

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 Three

 

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

The SARS-CoV-2 virus entered Australia on 15 January 2020 and the country became part of a global pandemic. By 26 March that year there had been 2,779 confirmed cases of Covid-19 infections, 1,219 of which were recorded in New South Wales. At that point the national death toll stood at 13 individuals. 

By 15 June 2021 the cumulative national total of confirmed COVID-19 cases stood at 30,274 cases, including 910 deaths. However, nationally the total number of active cases on that day was just 116 cases and only 27 of those 116 people were hospitalized.

It seemed as though Australia might have a good chance of beating the virus back by the end of 2021.

Then on 16 June 2021 the more infectious SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant was found to have entered Australia and daily infection numbers began to grow rapidly as the outbreak spread across New South Wales and Victoria and entered other states and territories. 

As at 3pm on 19 September 2021, the national cumulative total of confirmed COVID-19 cases had risen to 85,629 cases, including 1,162 deaths, and approximately 19,595 active cases. On 31 October 2021, that total had grown to 170,458 confirmed cases, including 1,734 deaths, and approximately 25,917 active cases. 

The Morrison Government announced that Australia's international border was reopening from 1 November 2021.

The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant was reported to have entered Australia at Sydney International Airport on 27 November 2021.

By 1 December, although the national cumulative total and death toll was still rising (211,655 cases including 2,011 deaths), the number of active cases was was falling (14,808) and hospital admissions stood at 532 individuals with 71 in intensive care. However by 15 December 2021 the numbers did not look as hopeful with a cumulative total of 235,562 confirmed cases of COVID-19 including 2,117 deaths and, approximately 18,025 active cases and 625 hospital admission with 109 in intensive care as of that Wednesday. At this point NSW had recorded 88,595 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 641 deaths since January 2020.

From one regional perspective this is the situation as it continues to unfold .....

On 15 December 2021 the NSW Perrottet Government reduced public health order restrictions to a minimum.

• Masks are only required on public transport and planes, at airports, in hospitals and healthcare facilities, and for indoor front-of-house hospitality staff who are not fully vaccinated

• No density limits for all settings

• COVID safety plans will be optional for businesses

• Fully vaccinated contacts only have to isolate until they receive a negative PCR result. However, household close contacts and close contacts in any other settings identified by NSW Health are still be required to isolate for seven days and comply with PCR testing requirements.

Based on NSW Health & Northern NSW Local Health District, media release excerpts, COVID-19 data for 15 -16 December 2021:

# NSW recorded 1,742 new cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm on Wednesday 15 December 2021.

A total of 122 cases of COVID-19 with the Omicron variant of concern have been confirmed in NSW.

There are currently 192 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 26 people in intensive care, eight of whom require ventilation.

Across NSW, 93.3% of people aged 16 years and over and 77.8% of people 12 to 15 years of age are fully vaccinated.

• Of the 1,742 cases reported to 8pm last night, 633 are from Hunter New England Local Health District (LHD), 231 are from South Eastern Sydney LHD, 188 are from South Western Sydney LHD, 166 are from Western Sydney LHD, 159 are from Sydney LHD, 111 are from Northern Sydney LHD, 81 are from Northern NSW LHD, 43 are from Central Coast LHD, 38 are from Western NSW LHD, 28 are from Nepean Blue Mountains LHD, 23 are from Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD, 14 are from Mid North Coast LHD, five are from Murrumbidgee LHD, four are from Far West LHD, three are from Southern NSW LHD, and 15 are yet to be assigned to an LHD. [ my yellow highlighting]

To date in December 2021 a total of 294 Northern NSW residents have become infected with COVID-19.

To 8pm 15 December, the 81 new cases of COVID-19 in Northern NSW were in 6 of the 7 local government areas in the region:

• Byron Shire – 65 cases across postcodes 2479, 2481, 2482, 2483;

• Ballina Shire – 9 cases across postcodes 2477 & 2478;

• Lismore City – 4 cases across postcode 2480;

• Richmond Valley – 1 case in postcode 2470;

• Tweed Shire – 1 case possibly in postcode 2487;

• Clarence Valley – 1 case in postcode 2460.

TOTAL 81

# NSW recorded 2,213 new cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm Thursday 16 December 2021, including 1 death. 

A total of 185 cases of COVID-19 with the Omicron variant of concern have been confirmed in NSW to date .

There are currently 215 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 24 people in intensive care, eight of whom require ventilation. 

Across NSW, 93.3% of people aged 16 & over and 77.9% of people aged 12 to15 years are fully vaccinated. 

• Of the 2,213 cases reported to 8pm last night, 674 are from Hunter New England Local Health District (LHD), 279 are from South Eastern Sydney LHD, 266 are from Western Sydney LHD, 261 are from South Western Sydney LHD, 204 are from Sydney LHD, 165 are from Northern Sydney LHD, 96 are from Northern NSW LHD, 88 are from Central Coast LHD, 32 are from Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD, 30 are from Mid North Coast LHD, 29 are from Western NSW LHD, 25 are from Murrumbidgee LHD, 25 are from Nepean Blue Mountains LHD, seven are from Southern NSW LHD, four are from Far West LHD, and 28 are yet to be assigned to an LHD. [my yellow highlighting]

Due to infection numbers continuing to grow, on 16 December the official stress level for the entire NSW public hospital system had reached RED status once more.

To 8pm on 16 December, 96 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in 5 of the 7 local government areas in Northern NSW:

• Byron Shire – 57 cases across postcodes 2479, 2481, 2482, 2483;

• Ballina Shire – 18 cases across postcodes 2477, 2478;

• Lismore City – 9 cases across postcode 2480;

• Tweed Shire – 8 cases across postcodes 2484, 2485, 2487, 2489;

• Clarence Valley – 4 cases across postcodes 2464, 2465, & possibly 2460;

• Richmond Valley – 0 cases;

• Kyogle – 0 cases.

TOTAL 96

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

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

On 16 December 2021 NSW Health tweeted that it had "temporarily restricted visitors to healthcare facilities due to increasing transmission rates with the emergence of the Omicron variant....Local Health Districts will apply a risk assessment to allow local exemptions on a case-by-case basis. Any person permitted to visit must be fully vaccinated, agree to wear a mask and follow advice from healthcare staff."*

Northern NSW starved of timely relevant COVD-19 information by Perrottet Government

 

Byron Bay local government area
IMAGE: .idcommunity 

Byron Bay local government area covers 566.6 sq kms with an est. resident population of 35,773 men, women and children and a population density of 63.13 person per sq km.

 

As of 14 November 2021 only 78.7% of the population 16 years of age and older were fully vaccinated. On 21 November the fully vaccinated rate had risen to 80.9%.

On 17 November 2021in NSW postcode 2481 NSW Health recorded a confirmed COVID-19 case in the Byron Bay local government area. The source of the individual’s infection is listed as “Overseas”. Presumably that person entered Northern NSW sometime on the afternoon of 16 November 2021.

On the same date another confirmed case for NSW postcode 2483 in the Byron Bay local government area was recorded and the source of that individual’s infection was listed as “interstate”

On 19 November 2021 in NSW postcode 2481 NSW Health recorded a confirmed COVID-19 case in the Byron Bay local government area.

Then again on 22 November 2021 in NSW postcode 2483 NSW Health recorded a confirmed COVID-19 case in the Byron Bay local government area.

The source of individual infection cannot be determined for 19 & 22 November 2021 confirmed cases because NSW Health has discontinued daily source of infection database updates as of 19 November 2021. At the same time it was announced the daily location of confirmed cases database was also being discontinued.

A Northern NSW Local Health District media release on 24 November revealed a confirmed COVID-19 case recorded for 23 November 2021 which is referred to as “a household contact of an existing case”.

News of the Byron Bay "Aquarius" backpackers hostel lockdown did not become public knowledge until Wednesday 24 November 2021, when the state MLA for Ballina released the information on social media.

Given that NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has previously stated that he not NSW Health will control release of COVID-19 information, one can only assume it is at his direction that rural & regional NSW is being staved of information concerning infection spread within districts, cities, towns and villages.

ABC News, 25 November 2021:

A backpacker hostel in Byron Bay on the NSW north coast has been placed into a snap seven-day lockdown after a positive COVID case and 84 close contacts were identified.

Police confirmed they were "assisting NSW Health at a hostel on Lawson Street in Byron Bay" and have referred any further inquiries to NSW Health.

The ABC has contacted NSW Health but officials there have yet to provide any further information about the operation underway at the backpackers.

News of the positive case came as thousands of school students descended on the north coast for the traditional schoolies celebrations.

Ms Smith says food and health support is being provided to the dozens of guests who are now in lockdown at the backpackers.

Ms Smith posted at statement about the situation to her verified Facebook page on Wednesday night.

"I'm closely monitoring a situation in Byron Bay where a positive COVID-19 case and 84 close contacts have been identified at Aquarius Backpackers in Byron Bay," her statement read.

"Police are monitoring compliance 24/7 over the next seven days.

"My thoughts are with everyone in that situation as it will be a tough time and I will keep checking to make sure that people are getting the support they need."