There were 1142 positive COVID-19 test results (cases) notified for the 24 hour period to 4pm yesterday, including 408 positive PCR tests and 734 positive rapid antigen tests (RATs).

A breakdown of cases is provided below: 

• 543 cases from Wollongong Local Government Area (LGA)
• 235 cases from Shellharbour LGA
• 305 cases from Shoalhaven LGA
• 59 cases from Kiama LGA

NSW Health is today reporting the deaths of three people with COVID-19 from our Local Health District (LHD).Details are as follows: 

• A female her in 60s from Wollongong LGA who was vaccinated against COVID-19
• A male in his 80s from Wollongong LGA who was vaccinated against COVID-19
• A female in her 90s from Wollongong LGA who was vaccinated against COVID-19

NSW Health is reporting a Shoalhaven woman and two men from Shellharbour are among the 30 people state-wide who have died from COVID-19 related illness in the 24 hours till 8pm yesterday.

The Shoalhaven woman was aged in her 80's and was vaccinated against Coronavirus.

The two Shellharbour men, one in his 70's, the other was in his 80's, were both vaccinated.

Across the Illawarra Shoalhaven local health district there are 659 positive COVID-19 cases notified for the 24 hour period to 8pm Monday, including 291 positive PCR tests and 368 positive rapid antigen tests.

There are 150 cases from the Shoalhaven, and  29 cases from the Kiama LGA.

There are 335 cases from the Wollongong Local Government Area and145 cases from the Shellharbour LGA.

There is additional protection against shark attacks for another two Shoalhaven Beaches.

The Gerringong Surf Life Saving Club and Culburra Surf Life Saving Club have been included in the NSW Shark Drone program.

Surf Life Saving NSW, with the support of the Department of Primary Industries, will provide UAV coverage in every coastal LGA in the state.

Flights will commence this weekend to coincide with the start of surf patrols by lifesavers and lifeguards.

The extension of the program will see over 200 pilots employed along the NSW coastline.

The cost-effective, drone technology has proven to be successful at keeping swimmers and surfers safe while minimising the impact on marine life.

Since the program commenced three years ago, the public response has been overwhelmingly positive, with people reporting greater confidence entering the water at locations where UAVs are operating.

Shellharbour, Kiama, and Mollymook beaches already have the Shark drone program.

The drones also are an additional tool to assist volunteer lifesavers and lifeguards identify other hazards such as rip currents, patrol outside flagged swimming areas, and assist search and rescue operations.

Images: NSW Government 

Berry rider Shane Rose has won a silver medal at the Olympics after teaming up with equestrian great Andrew Hoy and Kevin McNab to finish second in the team eventing.

Our boys held their never in the jumping to hold off France while Great Britain claimed the gold.

Rose now has three medals from as many Olympics, adding last night's silver to his Rio eventing bronze and Beijing silver.

The 48-year-old placed 10th in the individual while veteran Aussie and eight-time OIympain, Hoy scored bronze. 

Shellharbour soccer star Cailtin Foord will be playing for bronze in Tokyo after the Matildas dream run came to an end with a 1-nil loss to Sweden.

Skipper Sam Kerr had a goal controversially disallowed just before half-time before Sweden took the lead early in the second half.

Our girls now face defending Olympic champs the USA who were upset by Canada 1-nil.

Former Warilla high school student, Jye Edwards makes his Olympic debut in the athletics this morning when he contests the 1500 metres heats.

The 23-year-old is ranked 22nd in the world over the distance and will run in the second heat at 10.16am AEST.

Images: Australian Equestrian Team Facebook and Football Australia

With a re-emergence of COVID-19 cases across the Illawarra and Shoalhaven this week, the NSW Electoral Commission has a range of COVID safety measures in place for tomorrow's local government elections.

Cameron Whalan from the NSW Electoral Commission said there's a number of requirements voters must follow.

"That includes mandatory mask wearing, bringing your own pen from home or using one of the single use pens provided.

"Physical distancing when you're in polling places and lines to get in there as well and also checking in and out upon arrival and departure," he said.

Whalan said pre-polling will continue across Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama today.

"It's not too late to pre-poll.

"This morning you can look your address up (HERE).

"You'll find all of your closest pre-polling places but you can also plan ahead for the day following, for election day and find your closest polling locations too," he said.

Fines will apply for those who fail to vote.

Whalan said there are options if you can't physically get to a polling place.

"If you're outside of your local government area or council ward you might be eligible for i-Vote which is online or telephone voting but I would say that if you're unable to make it you will be issued with a failure to vote fine which is $55 but you will also have recourse, so you'll be given the chance to provide sufficient reason," Whalan said.

Image: NSW Electoral Commission

Five people with confirmed COVID-19 from the Wollongong and Shellharbour areas have died in the 24 hours until 8 pm Monday according to NSW Health.

There were 974 positive COVID-19 test cases notified for that 24 hour period across the Illawarra Shoalhaven.

That number included 437 positive rapid antigen tests and 537 positive PCR tests.

Illawarra Shoalhaven Health reports there are 124 new infections reported from the Shoalhaven and 15 from Kiama.

271 new infections came from Wollongong and 127 cases from Shellharbour 

As of 8 pm Monday, there were 168 COVID-19 patients in Illawarra Shoalhaven district hospitals.

 

There are 896 positive COVID-19 test results  notified for the 24 hour period to 8pm yesterday across the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local health district,  99 cases lower than the previous 24 hours.

Today's numbers include 380 positive rapid antigen tests and 516 positive PCR tests.

A breakdown of the positive PCR tests show infections have fallen to 269 cases for the Wollongong Local Government Area and 122 cases from Shellharbour are 58 less than the previous day.

There has been a marked drop in new COVID-19 infections from the Shoalhaven LGA down from 131 cases to 99 in the 24 hours till 8 pm Sunday.

26 cases from Kiama is down 8 cases.

As at 8pm, 23 January there were 154 COVID-19 cases in hospital in the Illawarra Shoalhaven District.

 

The Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District  has recorded 13 new cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8 pm last night.

Of the 13 new cases, seven are from the Wollongong Local Government Area and four are linked to a known case.

Three are from the Shellharbour Local Government Area postcode of 2529, and one is linked to a known case.

There are three new COVID-19 from the Shoalhaven LGA postcode of 2540 and two are linked to a known case.

There were more than 24,280 COVID-19 tests carried out in the Illawarra Shoalhaven for the week ending Sunday, 5 December.

There have been 2,636 cases of COVID-19 in the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District since June.

The Local Health District is urging the community to maintain vigilance and to continue to come forward for testing and vaccination.

There are now 10 venues of concern across the Illawarra Shoalhaven after a person tested positive for Coronavirus in Shellharbour.

An alert has also been issued for the South Coast train line.

A spokesperson from the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District said the case is currently isolating at home along with household contacts.

"The source of infection is under investigation, however is most likely linked to travel to Sydney required for work.

"The case was working from home when not required to travel for work.

"NSW Health has been notified of new venues of concern in Unanderra, Kiama, Nowra, Blackbutt, Shellharbour CityCentre and Warilla associated with this confirmed case of COVID-19," the spokesperson said.

Anyone who attended the following venues at the times listed is a casual contact and must get tested and self-isolate until they receive a negative result.

"You should continue to monitor for symptoms and if any symptoms occur, get tested again," the LHD spokesperson said.

Bridgestone Tyres Unanderra, 159 Five Islands Road - Tuesday 3 August from 10.30 am to 11.30 am

Woolworths Kiama, Kiama View Shopping Centre, 143 Terralong Street - Friday 30 July from 5 pm to 5.15 pm

NAB Nowra, 56 Kinghorne Street - Friday 30 July from 2.50 pm to 3.05 pm

Warilla Grove Shopping Centre, 47 Shellharbour Road, Warilla - Saturday 7 August from 9.25am to 11.20am, in particular the following stores:

Cafe Els - Saturday 7 August, 9.25 am to 9.35 am

Bakers Delight - Saturday 7 August, 9.30 am to 9.35 am

Mitchell's Market - Saturday 7 August, 9.35am to 10.05am

Woolworths - Saturday 7 August, 10 am to 11.20 am

Coles, Stockland Shellharbour - 1 Holm Place, Shellharbour City Centre - Saturday 7 August, 11.45 am to 12.20 pm

Dan Murphy's - Stocklands Retail Park, New Lake Entrance Road, Blackbutt - Saturday 7 August 2021, 12.25 pm to 12.45 pm

A casual contact alert has also been issued for the South Coast train line after the positive case travelled from Mortdale to Bomaderry on Friday, July 30 between 11.55 am and 2.17 pm.

Images: https://www.flickr.com/photos/30478819@N08/50308277997, Warilla Grove and Google Maps

NSW Health has reported a record number of new Coronavirus cases for the Shoalhaven today.

There are 50 new cases reported in the Illawarra Shoalhaven region up until 8 pm last night, bringing the total cases in the Local Health District to 771.

• 24 cases are from the Wollongong Local Government Area, 10 are linked to known cases.
• 13 cases are from the Shellharbour Local Government Area, six are linked to known cases.
• 11 cases are from the Shoalhaven Local Government Area, four are linked to known cases.
• Two cases are from the Kiama Local Government Area.

South Coast Council areas have seen mixed results in the latest crime statistics report.

The Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands experienced a major increase in reports of sexual assault during March, according to the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research.

The report released yesterday show the Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands had an average of 13 reported sexual assaults each month, but that nearly doubled to 25 during March.

Officials praised the courage of victims and survivors who have come forward.

They believe the increased number of reports has been influenced by several high-profile cases that have drawn intense media coverage.

Kiama has seen a drop in non-domestic violence-related assault, but there's been an increase in malicious damage to property.

There's an increase in sexual assault and fraud across Shellharbour, but a drop in break and enters, and steal from motor vehicle.

Images: Supplied 

 

A Shellharbour man has revealed November appears to be his lucky month, after a big win on Keno for a second time.

Playing at the Ocean Beach Hotel on Thursday his Keno 9 Spot entry won him almost $300,000.

While collecting his prize he revealed he also had a win with a Keno 8 Spot entry in November of last year.

He says he plays the same numbers all the time.

Photo source: https://pixabay.com/photos/australian-dollar-money-currency-2874029/

The Shoalhaven has been named inside the top 20 biggest Return and Earn users of Local Government Areas in NSW.

Wollongong has returned a whopping 127 point 34 million recyclable items since the scheme was implemented across the state in December 2017 to be the 15th best recycler of all NSW LGAs behind Blacktown who tops the lost with just under 370.1 million items.

On population, Shellharbour's been doing its bit with 71.3 million items while Kiama's contributed almost 13 million.

Danielle Smalley from Exchange for Change said more than $650 million in refunds have gone back into the community over the last four years.

"The initiative has seen over 6.5 billion containers returned for recycling through its network of return points.

"This equates to 595,500 tonnes of materials recycled," she said.

Smalley said lined up end-to-end, that is enough containers to reach the moon and back.

"With three out of four adults in NSW having participated, these results highlight how collectively a small change in people's routines can have a positive impact," she said.

Images: Return and Earn Facebook and Travis Winks

The St George Illawarra Dragons board is reportedly meeting today,  with that Shellharbour after-game get-together expected to be top of the agenda.

13 Dragons players have been fined by Police and the NRL, which also handed out suspensions over the weekend after-game party at Paul Vaughan's Shellharbour home.

Vaughan has been given a fifty-thousand-dollar fine by the NRL and is suspended for 8 matches.

The NRL Club will need to work out how to stagger the remaining suspensions for its players and whether it will impose more fines and penalties to players who breached the Covid lockdown.

Image: supplied

 

NSW Health is today reporting the deaths of two people with COVID-19 from our Local Health District. 

• A male in his 40s from the Shellharbour LGA who was vaccinated against COVID-19 and had significant underlying health conditions.
• A male in his 90s from the Shellharbour LGA who was vaccinated against COVID-19.

There were 1322 positive COVID-19 test results (cases) notified for the 24 hour period to 4pm yesterday, including 565 positive PCR tests and 757 positive rapid antigen tests (RATs).

A breakdown of cases is provided below:

• 700 cases from Wollongong Local Government Area.
• 305 cases from Shellharbour LGA
• 248 cases from Shoalhaven LGA
• 69 cases from Kiama LGA

The NSW Government's COVID permit program that is set to come into effect this Saturday morning will no longer include Shellharbour.

Shellharbour locals were facing the prospect of needing a permit to travel to regional NSW for work, for viewing the property, or to go to their holiday home.

Member for Kiama Gareth Ward has negotiated with the state government to have Shellharbour removed from the program.

Ward's confirmed that residents in the Shellharbour Local Government Area will not be included in the permit system, which means that people traveling from Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains, and Wollongong to Shellharbour will require a permit.

Reasons for travel requiring a permit include:

Authorised workers from LGAs of concern

Inspecting real estate, any person inspecting real estate in the regions must now genuinely need a home to live in (no investment properties) and travelling to your second home. This is now only allowed if you are using the home for work accommodation or if the home requires urgent maintenance and repairs (if so, only one person may travel there).

"This also means that where travel in regional NSW is allowed under the PHOs for Shellharbour residents, they won't need to get a permit," Ward said.

"To be absolutely clear, people in regional NSW are not required to obtain a permit when traveling into Wollongong, the Blue Mountains, Greater Sydney, or regional NSW when leaving their home with a reasonable excuse under the Public Health Orders.

"I am thrilled that Shellharbour has finally been recognised as being separate from Wollongong and Sydney.

"This has been my view right from the very start and I have never stopped fighting for our community.

Shellharbour has contributed a small number of COVID cases over the last two weeks while Wollongong's transmission has also been low with both LGAs recording a positive case each yesterday.

Ward said Shellharbour doesn't deserve to be put in the same category as Wollongong.

"It took Shellharbour seven weeks to get a case of COVID-19.

"There are other cases in regional communities right now as well but I think that Shellharbour is a very different community from those further north and that is being reflected in these changes," he said.

Ward thanked the Premier and the NSW Health Minister for listening to the concerns of the community.

"As a local MP, I have taken the fight up to ensure the voice of our community is heard at the heart of Government.

"I'm pleased I’ve been able to deliver this common-sense outcome.

"Whilst this is a win for common sense, I would encourage everyone across our community to continue to get vaccinated, get tested, and stay at home.

"This is the only pathway to victory for our State," the member for Kiama said.

Images: Gareth Ward and profile.id.com.au