Andrew Constance on Facebook announcing the positive COVID-19 case that started the Batemans Bay outbreak. Photo: File.
UPDATED 11 am: The first person to lose their life as part of the COVID-19 outbreak in Batemans Bay was a woman in her 70s, who died at home.
NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said the woman was double vaccinated but had only just received her second dose of the vaccine.
She had underlying health issues and was diagnosed with COVID-19 after her death.
The Southern NSW Local Health District recorded 18 new COVID-19 cases in the 24 hours to 8 o’clock last night, 11 of them still under investigation.
Of the 18 new cases:
- Two new cases are in Goulburn and are under investigation;
- Nine new cases are in Queanbeyan – five are linked to known cases and four are under investigation;
- One new case is in Googong and is under investigation;
- One new case is in Jindabyne and is under investigation;
- One new case is in Cooma and is under investigation;
- One new case is in Narooma and is under investigation;
- One new case is in Dalmeny and is under investigation;
- Two new cases are in Batemans Bay and are linked to known cases.
One further case was reported overnight in Jindabyne and there has been a sewage detection in Moruya.
The Jindabyne case worked at the Thredbo Resort and has been active in the community, including at hospitality and retail venues, for six days while infectious. Contact tracing is underway and he has no known source. Everyone is asked to be alert for symptoms, to get tested and isolate.
There were 863 locally acquired COVID-19 cases recorded in NSW to 8 pm yesterday, with 15 deaths.
New venues of concern are listed here.
Two new confirmed cases of COVID-19 are being cared for at Wagga Wagga Base Hospital but both cases were from outside the Murrumbidgee Local Health District.
9:30 am: The Eurobodalla has recorded its first COVID-19 death in the current outbreak, with Bega MP Andrew Constance confirming the loss of life.
“Today will be a sad day as the virus is now leading to the loss of life within our wonderful community,” he said.
“I am very serious about the pain this insidious virus is going to continue to bring for individuals, loved ones and our people. It is a very sad time and my thoughts are with those suffering.
“Please be conscious of its impact if a person is vulnerable and suffering from other medical conditions and other circumstances that heighten the risk of COVID.”
Mr Constance said, with people starting to be hospitalised, he wanted to express his gratitude to the paramedics, nurses and doctors “who are there to save us and keep us safe”.
“We have a roadmap which takes us to December 1, and it is based on the best advice possible to manage our health system and attempt to keep people safe,” Mr Constance said.
“I know everyone is starting to get confused and frustrated but we must stage the release of restrictions to mitigate against the virus impact. People will not always agree with the decisions of politicians but my aim is to try to get life back to as best and safe as normal as we can.
“We have 23 cases in Batemans Bay. This is a very tricky situation. Please continue to get vaccinated, tested and minimise your travel.”
Meanwhile, the Eurobodalla Shire has hit 94.5 per cent single vaccination dose and 66.2 per cent double dose, with the Bega Valley now at 89.2 per cent single dose and 64.1 per cent double dose.
More details about the COVID situation in the Eurobodalla are expected to be released later this morning.
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