Four new cases in Kempsey; venues of concern Port Macquarie

All are from the Kempsey Local Government Area (LGA).

One of the cases is linked to a known case from the Kempsey LGA announced this week and the source of the infection of the other three cases is under investigation.

There have been 51 cases reported in the MNCLHD since the beginning of the current NSW outbreak.

There are new venues of concern in Port Macquarie.

They are:

The North Coast Public Health Unit is currently investigating these cases and contact tracing is underway, including any potential exposure venues of public concern.

There has also been a detection of COVID-19 fragments in sewage samples taken at Coffs Harbour on 13 October. The Coffs Harbour Sewage Treatment Plant serves around 57,000 residents of the urban areas of the city.

There were also fragments of the virus detected in sewage samples taken from the Port Macquarie, Wauchope, Dunbogan and Woolgoolga sewage treatment plants.

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To the south, there were two new cases in the Mid Coast local government area, both in Taree. It brings the number of cases this week in the LGA to more than 42.

Chatham Public School in Taree was forced to close after being identified as an exposure site. A member of the Wingham Public school community has also tested positive for COVID. This school has also been closed.

There have been 70 COVID cases recorded in Mid Coast LGA since August 5.

Mid North Coast Local Health District is urging people with even the mildest of COVID-19 symptoms to get tested.

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.