CATCH UP: Everything you need to know about Shoalhaven's COVID scare at a glance

As we know, the news moves fast, especially in the era of COVID-19!

So we've put together a wrap of the week that was below - containing everything you need to know from the exposure sites, local testing clinics and how you can get vaccinated.

Local residents in the Huskisson/Vincentia area wanting to get tested for COVID-19 are encouraged to attend the Huskisson drive through clinic at Park Street this weekend, as the Vincentia drive-through clinic will be closed on Saturday and Sunday.

"We are finding that more people are choosing to attend the drive-through clinic at Huskisson, rather than the Vincentia clinic which is located in a busy area that sees increased community activity over the weekend," said ISLHD Chief Executive Margot Mains.

"However, we maintain the ability to reopen the Vincentia clinic at any time this weekend, should the need arise," she said.

More than 2,000 tests were carried out across the Illawarra Shoalhaven on Thursday.

"We again thank the community for coming forward to be tested in such high numbers," Ms Mains said.

Victorian health authorities have confirmed a new variant of the COVID-19 virus has been detected in the Melbourne family who travelled through Jervis Bay in late May.

Victoria Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton told reporters genomic testing showed the family were infected with the Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus, which is the dominant strain found in India and increasingly in the United Kingdom.

He also confirmed the variant has not been detected in the community anywhere else in Australia.

"It's obviously a concern that it's not linked," said Professor Sutton in a press conference Friday, June 4.

"The fact that it is a variant different to other cases it means it is not related, in terms of transmission, with these cases. It has not been linked to any sequence cases across Australia from hotel quarantine or anywhere else that it is not linked in Victoria or any other jurisdiction."

He also confirmed the variant has not been detected in the community anywhere else in Australia.

"It's obviously a concern that it's not linked," said Professor Sutton in a press conference Friday, June 4.

"The fact that it is a variant different to other cases it means it is not related, in terms of transmission, with these cases. It has not been linked to any sequence cases across Australia from hotel quarantine or anywhere else that it is not linked in Victoria or any other jurisdiction."

Read more: 1300 tested in Shoalhaven as NSW records no new locally acquired COVID cases

Asked whether it was likely the variant was picked up within New South Wales, Professor Sutton responded it "is within the bounds of possibility."

He said officials are now investigating who was the first person infected and whether the cases are linked to a different leak out of hotel quarantine.

"In terms of the ongoing sequencing, we will try to look at all other sequences, re-sequenced to the fullest extent possible across Australia to see if there are any potential linkages to known cases and that includes those who have come through formal quarantine but also anyone else, maritime, airline, diplomatic and others," he said.

"It is a concern that it is not linked to other cases but we are chasing down all those primary case contacts for that family and looking into where it might have been acquired."

Read more: 'Plenty of vaccines to go around,' says local practice principal after South Coast on COVID alert

Professor Sutton revealed the Victorian Government "suspected" the strain was spread by a fifth grade primary school student with seven individuals including family members linked to the cluster.

He said "transmission between students has always been known".

Lucky for us, no new cases no new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 have been recorded in NSW.

However, we are still on COVID alert as the family - a husband, wife and two children - visited a number of locations along the South Coast.

NSW Health has identified several close and casual contact exposure sites in Huskisson, Jervis Bay, Goulburn and Gundagai from May 19 to 24.

"The original timeframe has been expanded, as three household contacts of the original case have now tested positive," NSW Health said in a statement.

"Anyone who lives in Jervis Bay, Vincentia, Huskisson, Gundagai or Goulburn, or has visited these areas since May 19, is asked to be especially vigilant for the onset of even the mildest cold-like symptoms, and is urged to come forward for testing immediately if they appear, then isolate until a negative result is received."

If you attended these venues at the times listed you should get tested and isolate until you receive further information from NSW Health:

The same advice applies to anyone who attended the exposure sites previously announced:

Sites have also been identified in Goulburn and Gundagai.

Despite local businesses being listed as potential exposure sites and having to temporarily close, no staff members of the Cooked Goose Cafe in Hyams Beach or the Huskisson Treasure Chest reported negative COVID tests.

Both businesses said they are "keeping their chins up" and welcomed the support from the local community.

"People are messaging each other with information on where to get tested and everyone's doing the right thing so it's been good to see," said Madison Behringer, a co-owner of the Cooked Goose Cafe.

"We love all our customers - we have a great business - so I'm sure everyone will come back and visit us," said Karen Hobbs, a co-owner of the Huskisson Treasure Chest

"Hopefully no other shop is going to be affected now but I'm sure Husky will get over this again - we're all built together."

More than 2000 COVID-19 tests were carried out across the Illawarra Shoalhaven on Thursday, including 1350 in the Shoalhaven. This follows more than 1000 local people being tested on Wednesday.

The Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD) has praised the community for coming forward in large numbers for testing.

The temporary closure of Booderee National Park at Jervis Bay has been extended until Tuesday, June 8.

Parks Australia said the closure extension is to protect the health and safety of visitors, staff and local communities, including the park's Traditional Owners (the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community).

The park was originally closed on Wednesday (June 2) until Friday (June 4) , but the latest announcement will see Booderee's temporary closure extended until at least 9am on June 8, as a precaution following the NSW COVID-19 Jervis Bay Public Health Alert.

The declared State of Emergency for the Jervis Bay Territory (JBT) has also been extended for a 30-day period from June 2, as part of the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories, Nola Marino announced the declared extension and by doing so the JBT community will continue to be protected and supported during this time, with the health and wellbeing of the community the first priority.

The State of Emergency declaration in the JBT under the Jervis Bay Territory Emergency Management Ordinance 2015 provides powers to key members of the JBT Emergency Management Committee, and Emergency Services supporting the JBT, to deal with public health risks associated with COVID-19.

South Coast Group Seven Rugby League has been forced to postpone Saturday's first grade fixture between Jamberoo and Nowra-Bomaderry was postponed due to COVID-19 concerns.

Due to the NSW Health public alert issued to the Jervis Bay area, the league, upon the request of the Jets, have decided to postpone all games slated for Saturday at Kevin Walsh Oval.

"Due to the recent COVID-19 case in the Jervis Bay/Shoalhaven area, we have requested our games this Saturday against Jamberoo Superoos to be postponed - we need to ensure player and spectator safety," the Jets club said in a statement.

The news came less than 24 hours after the South Coast competition cancelled both of Wreck Bay's matches at Francis Ryan Reserve - Wreck Bay's women's league tag two fixture with the Gerringong Lions (1pm) and Regan Cup (third grade) game with the Southern Highlands Storm (2pm).

Here are the testing sites across the Shoalhaven (existing testing sites do have extended hours):

Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District says the drive through clinics will be open from 8am to 6pm, every day of the week for the next fortnight at least.

With a constantly evolving vaccine rollout, it's hard to keep track of where we are up to.

So consider this guide a cheat sheet for South Coast COVID vaccinations, where you will find the answer to your burning questions like 'when will GPs get the Pfizer vaccine' and 'how do I book a vaccine if I don't have access to the internet?'

Who's eligible, what vaccines are available and how do you get them?

You can even use the COVID-19 vaccine eligibility checker to book an appointment and to check vaccine supply at each practice.

https://www.southcoastregister.com.au/story/7280430/plenty-of-vaccines-to-go-around-says-local-practice-principal-after-south-coast-on-covid-alert/?cs=203

For the latest information visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/latest-news-and-updates

To find local testing clinic locations and opening hours visit the District's website at www.ISLHD.health.nsw.gov.au.

For a list of local testing clinics and their operating hours, visit: www.islhd.health.nsw.gov.au/services-clinics/public-health-unit/infectious-diseases/covid-19-latest-advice-and-resources-6

Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District is working to establish a number of additional pop-up testing clinics and will post up-to-date information on their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/IllaShoalHealth