'Serious situation', but Kempsey community urged not to panic over positive COVID case

An asymptomatic 14-year-old girl travelled from Newcastle back home to Kempsey on Friday.

Contract tracers and Health officials are working directly with the family of the girl to carry out investigations and identified close contacts are already isolating.

The girl in question undertook a COVID-19 test on Sunday, and received notification she had tested positive late yesterday.

Kempsey Shire Council mayor Liz Campbell and general manager Craig Milburn were briefed directly by MNCLHD this morning.

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Cr Campbell said that she, Mr Milburn and the entire staff of council send their best wishes to the patient and family concerned.

"While this is a very serious situation, and we send our support to the family, it is not any cause for panic. Council will continue to be guided by the experts within our health system who are working hard to trace contacts and movements as fast as possible," Cr Campbell said.

"The reality of coronavirus reaching our community is however a stark reminder of why it is critical that we all follow the stay-at-home order currently in place across our State. There are very few reasons why people need to leave their homes.

"If as a community we all stick to the rules, we can give ourselves the best opportunity to minimise the impact.

"Please follow the directions from NSW Health. Do not send multiple people from any household to the shops for essentials. Stay sanitised. Stay socially distant if you have to go out, but try to stay home. Please do the right thing and stay safe."

Oxley MP Melinda Pavey said sites of concern will be identified and shared with the community.

"The tracing teams are undertaking an interview with the girl and will immediately update me with information relating to if and where there are any sites of concerns in our region," Ms Pavey said.

"I am relieved though that our schools have been closed for the week, and we do not have a situation whereby other school students, their families and teachers are close contacts.

"I want to remind people to please follow the lockdown rules and be COVID-19 safe.

"There is a reason we have tried to limit people's movements, notwithstanding essential activities. I can assure you all, NSW Health is working hard to get the information we need quickly."

Kempsey Shire Council said it will continue to work with staff and residents to keep people informed of any updates or changing regulations.

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