Professor Paul Kelly has today declared the Armidale Regional LGA as a hotspot for the purpose of Commonwealth support from 11:59 pm on 9 August 2021, for an initial period of 5 days until 11:59 pm on 14 August 2021, with review on or before this date.
Professor Kelly also today declared the Regional Councils of Tamworth, Byron Shire, Richmond Valley, Ballina Shire and Lismore LGAs as a hotspots for the purpose of Commonwealth support from 11:59 pm on 9 August 2021 for an initial period of seven days until 11:59 pm 16 August 2021, with review on or before this date.
There have been wide opportunities for transmission of the virus in these local government areas and Professor Kelly reminds the community of the risk and requests that they continue to follow the directions of New South Wales Health.
Declaring a hotspot for Commonwealth support triggers, if required:
- Provision of PPE from the National Medical Stockpile
- Actions for aged care facilities including PPE, single site workforce supplement and integration of an aged care response centre into the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre
- Assistance with contact tracing
- Asymptomatic testing via GP-led respiratory clinics
- Reprioritisation of vaccine supplies, if required
- Access to COVID-19 Disaster Payment, if eligibility criteria are met
- Two Medicare Benefits Schedule items for telehealth consultations for patients in COVID-19 hotspots.
