A Southern NSW Local Health District spokesperson has confirmed a Batemans Bay High School student and another Batemans Bay resident have tested positive to COVID-19.
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"The two new cases are known close contacts of a recently identified case in Batemans Bay," the department said.
"One of the positive cases is linked to Batemans Bay High School."
The confirmation follows a Facebook post from the high school saying a student had tested positive and that the school would be closed on Tuesday, August 11 for contact tracing and cleaning.
"Southern NSW Local Health District has stepped up testing throughout the Eurobodalla, with the Batemans Bay Hanging Rock COVID-19 Pop-up Clinic (near the Marine Rescue Building), open from 9:00am to 5:00pm until Sunday," the spokesperson said.
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"Meanwhile COVID-19 testing is continuing at Moruya Hospital (Moruya Pathways building, right hand side of the hospital) daily, 9:00am to 5:00pm.
"In order to protect patients, staff and carers against the spread of COVID-19, the Southern NSW Local Health District (SNSWLHD) has taken steps to restrict visitor numbers to its Eurobodalla facilities.
The Eurobodalla Shire now has 15 confirmed cases from 8176 tests undertaken since the pandemic reached Australia.
The health district said visitors to both Batemans Bay and Moruya District Hospitals would not be permitted until further notice, "unless under exceptional circumstances in consultation with the General Manager of the facility".
" Meanwhile the District will be encouraging the use of mobile and digital technology by patients to maintain contact with loved ones," the spokesperson said.
"The positive results serve as a timely reminder that locals and visitors to the region need to remain vigilant regarding social distancing, hygiene and the need to isolate and get tested if the need arises.
"Isolation is mandatory for anyone identified as a close contact (not a casual contact) of a case. Anyone directed to undertake a 14-day self-isolation period must stay in isolation for the full time, even if they test negative.
"Early testing may not detect an infection, and release from self-isolation based on a negative test could allow an infectious person to infect others in the community. Most people who are infected and develop symptoms will do so within 14 days of exposure.
"SNSWLHD is urging anyone feeling unwell - even with the mildest of symptoms such as a runny nose, scratchy or sore throat, cough, fever, shortness of breath, headache, tiredness, loss of taste or smell, nausea, diarrhoea or muscle aches - to self-isolate and seek COVID-19 testing, so cases in the community are identified as quickly as possible.
"There is no longer a requirement to schedule appointments at most of the District's COVID-19 testing sites. Callers to the SNSWLHD 1800 999 880 COVID line will be provided with information on testing eligibility and clinic times and locations.
"These testing sites include Goulburn Base Hospital, Queanbeyan District Hospital, Eurobodalla Health Service (Moruya), South East Regional Hospital (SERH), Cooma District Hospital, Jindabyne Clinic and Yass District Hospital as well as the 'pop-up' clinics at Hanging Rock and Crookwell. See our website at: www.snswlhd.health.nsw.gov.au.
"A number of our smaller COVID testing sites will still be by appointment only (Pambula Hospital, Bombala MPS and Eden) - call 1800 999 880 (option 2).
"It remains essential that everyone maintains social distancing and good hygiene to minimise the risk of spread between people. People can unwittingly pass COVID-19 to others if they are incubating the virus or have very mild symptoms."
To help stop the spread of COVID-19:
- If you are unwell, stay in, get tested and isolate.
- Wash your hands regularly. Take hand sanitiser with you when you go out.
- Keep your distance. Leave 1.5 metres between yourself and others.
- Wear a mask in situations where you cannot physically distance.
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For the latest, up to date information head to: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/diseases/Pages/coronavirus.aspx
