The Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD) is again reminding the community to remain COVID vigilant and to continue to come forward for testing and vaccination after six new COVID-19 cases were recorded in Wollongong in the last 24 hours to 8pm Thursday.
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For a 13th day there were no COVID-19 cases reported in the Shoalhaven Local Government Area. Shellharbour and Kiama LGAs were also COVID free.
NSW recorded 261 new COVID-19 cases in the 24 hours to 8pm, down on Wednesday's numbers and no deaths were recorded in the reporting period.
As we near December 15 and the government flagging even more restrictions easing, NSW Health has announced the state's population aged 16 years and over is now 92.2 per cent fully vaccinated, while 94.5 per cent have had their first COVID-19 vaccine shot.
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Of the six Wollongong cases, four are linked to known cases.
The cases reside in the postcodes of 2500 (1), 2515 (2) and 2530 (3).
There have been 2,525 cases of COVID-19 in the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District since June and there are currently four people being treated in hospital as a result of COVID-19.
The health district reminds the community to remain vigilant for even the mildest of symptoms, and to continue to come forward for testing and vaccination.
ISLHD says individual suburb breakdowns are not provided as it does not accurately reflect where cases may have been during their infectious period.
The community who live in these areas should be alert that COVID-19 may be circulating in their suburb and surrounds and need to be extra vigilant when leaving their home, when monitoring for symptoms and getting tested if they feel unwell.
Across the district there have been 2679 COVID since June, with 129 cases acquired overseas, while 867,737 people have been tested since testing began.
All local government areas in the ISLHD have now reached 90 per cent double vaccination rates, in residents aged 15 and over.
Authorities continue to urge people to get tested if any symptoms appear, no matter how mild. These include cold or flu-like symptoms such as fever, sore throat, cough or shortness of breath.
People with mild symptoms, such as fatigue, new muscle aches or pains, a change in taste or smell or a runny nose should also arrange testing as quickly as possible.
When testing clinics are busy, please ensure you stay in line, identify yourself to staff and tell them that you have symptoms or are a contact of a case.
There are a number of COVID-19 testing clinics across the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District. Visit the District's website for a full list and updated opening hours and times.
There are also more than 500 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW - visit the NSW Government website for details.
NSW Health will continue to contact people diagnosed with COVID-19 and their close contacts, and people who need to follow specific health advice.
If you receive a message from NSW Health, it is important that you follow the advice in that message.
Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District also urges the community to continue to come forward for vaccination.
Everyone in Australia aged 12 and over can receive a COVID-19 vaccination. For more information visit www.health.gov.au.
The District's vaccination clinics are now offering a booster dose of the Pfizer vaccine to people aged 18 years and older, six months after their second dose.
Appointments are preferred and can be made by calling the ISLHD Booking Team on 1300 096 365 during business hours, or online via the ISLHD COVID-19 Vaccination Support form.
In addition to the District's clinics, booster shots are available at local general practitioners and pharmacies.
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