Health staff monitor two Kempsey COVID cases; family tests negative so far

Two positive cases remain in isolation in South Kempsey. There are four exposure sites named as venues of concern.

A Mid North Coast Local Health District spokesperson said this morning that health staff are providing ongoing care for the two local cases. One of those is a 14-year-old girl.

To date, their household contacts have returned negative test results.

Residents with even the mildest of symptoms are urged to get tested.

Sewage surveillance conducted on August 18 detected virus fragments at the Port Macquarie wastewater treatment plant which services about 54,000 people.

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NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the State was on the "rollercoaster ride of emotions" when case numbers are announced but the focus must now shift to vaccination rates.

There were 818 new cases of transmission were recorded in the 24 hours to 8pm Sunday, with three people in their 80s dying in that period. Ms Berejiklian said all had underlying conditions.

"Once we get to 80 per cent double-dose, essentially we will have normalised COVID the way we treat other conditions," she said.

She said there would be "more to say" later this week about a return to schools given how close the 6 million vaccinations target had come.

Ms Berejiklian said 738,000 people were vaccinated in NSW during the past week.

"We're up to 5.9 million jabs in NSW," Ms Berejiklian said. "I'm so pleased everybody has really heard the call."

Deputy Premier John Barilaro said all eyes are on western and far western NSW as case numbers continue to grow.

In western NSW there were 24 cases overnight, with 14 of those in Dubbo. In the far west, there was one case at Wilcannia and two at Broken Hill.

In the Hunter-New England, there was one case at Lake Macquarie and another at Cessnock. A man died at John Hunter Hospital overnight.

THE Mid North Coast's COVID case numbers remain at just two, with both cases remaining in isolation in South Kempsey with their families.

Mid North Coast Local Health District said investigations are ongoing.

There are now four venues of concern on the Mid North Coast.

On Sunday, NSW Health added an exposure site at the Nambucca Heads interchange service centre after a truck driver travelling from Sydney to Queensland had tested positive.

Anyone who attended Bunnings or Little Shack in Port Macquarie; Coles in Belgrave St, Kempsey, or the BP Nambucca Heads at the dates and times listed is a casual contact who must immediately get tested and isolate until a negative result is received.

All close contacts have been contacted and informed as part of normal contract tracing processes.

They must get tested and isolate for 14 days, regardless of the result.

Anyone else who has been at the venues at the date and times listed is considered a casual contact, must get tested and isolate until a negative result is received.

Ongoing surveillance across all Mid North Coast wastewater treatment sites for virus fragments continues.

To find a testing clinic near you, visit the NSW Government website www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/health-and-wellbeing/clinics

The Mid North Coast Local Health District is vaccinating its staff and eligible members of the community when appointments become available.

Go to the online COVID-19 vaccine eligibility checker to find out when and where you can receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

You can also speak with your local participating pharmacist or GP about the vaccine that is right for you.

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