While COVID cases in the whole Illawarra Shoalhaven Health District continue to increase, cases in the Kiama LGA remain very low at just 12 cases in the four weeks to 18 September.

To 8pm last night, no new cases were reported in Kiama while 64 new cases were reported for the whole district (39 in Wollongong LGA, 18 in Shellhabour LGA and 7 in Shoalhaven LGA).

Three quarters of the Kiama cases come from a known source, rather than through unknown community transition, showing the restrictions are working.

As at 16 September, 60-69% of the LGA's population is fully vaccinated and 80-89% have at least had the first dose.

Currently, only three venues are listed on the NSW Health case locations page as being locations of possible casual contact - Wild Patch Cafe (7.25-7.35am on Sat 11 Sept and 8.50-9am on Sun 12 Sept); Blooms the Chemist (9-9.10am Sun 12 Sept); and Gerringong Hardware (12.18-12.23pm Sat 11 Sept).

People who were there at that time should get tested and self-isolate until results come through.

However, it seems Kiama Medical Practice had to close for a deep clean on Friday after a positive COVID case visited, even though it is not listed as a location on the Health website.

Its Facebook page says a patient attended on Tuesday (14 Sept) afternoon between 3.30pm and 5.30pm, then returned on Wednesday to see pathology between 11.15am and 11.45am, and later tested positive.

The post says, "If this exposure affects you, you will be contacted by NSW Health, who've been notified about this positive result.

"In better news, we have received our first shipment of Pfizer vaccines.

"So our clinic that's scheduled for Sunday will be going ahead with all due caution for infection control. So you can be reassured that you can have your protection from vaccination without coming into contact with any COVID-19."

Sewage plant testing has detected COVID at both Bombo and Gerroa, with the latest tests done on 13 Sept and 16 Sept respectively.

As always, get tested if you experience the slightest symptoms.

Editor's note: The Bugle's resources do not stretch to providing comprehensive coverage of all local COVID incidents, so we cannot take on the responsiblity of being relied upon as your sole source for this information. Please keep up-to-date on the government site.