Nambucca Heads has reported its first COVID cases while Kempsey East Public School closes

Six are from the Kempsey local government area (LGA), four are from Coffs Harbour LGA and three are from the Nambucca Valley LGA.

Six of the cases are linked to a known case or cluster and the source of the infection of seven cases is under investigation.

Three of the cases reported today (Friday) attended a funeral at Nambucca Heads on Saturday 23 October.

The North Coast Public Health Unit is urging anyone who attended the large funeral at Lions Park, Nambucca headland on October 23 at 11am to come forward for COVID-19 testing.

Contact tracing is underway and the North Coast Public Health Unit is working to assess whether any of those attending the funeral will be classified as close or casual contacts.

Anyone who attended the funeral is asked to isolate immediately and remain isolated until they receive a negative result or are contacted directly by NSW Health.

Meanwhile, Kempsey East Public School is the eighth school in the MNCLHD to close for deep cleaning after members of the school community test positive for COVID.

In just over a week, the MNCLHD has recorded 189 new COVID cases, the bulk of those being in Kempsey.

MNCLHD chief executive Stewart Dowrick said the numbers of cases is concerning and the health district is expecting them to continue to rise.

He added that most of the cases are in care at home with the support of NSW Health staff.

There have been 246 cases reported in the MNCLHD since the beginning of the current NSW outbreak.

COVID-19 testing rates remain high across the Mid North Coast with 1,016 tests conducted yesterday - 359 at Kempsey, 307 at Coffs Harbour and 194 at Port Macquarie.

COVID-19 testing is now available at both NSW Health and private clinics at Macksville, Nambucca Heads and Coffs Harbour:

If you have even the mildest of cold-like symptoms, please visit one of our COVID-19 testing clinics at Kempsey, Macksville, South West Rocks, Coffs Harbour, Woolgoolga, and Port Macquarie.

By getting tested and self-isolating until you receive a negative result, you will help to protect your loved ones and the community.

To find your nearest clinic, visit COVID-19 testing clinics or contact your GP.

For Kempsey residents, Kempsey District Hospital - River St entrance - 9am to 4pm, Tuesday to Friday (Pfizer)

No appointment is necessary, just bring your Medicare card and photo ID. Please remember to wear your mask and observe physical distancing at all times.

Find available 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.