An elderly couple in Inverell have been diagnosed with COVID-19.
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The two cases are the first confirmed instances of the virus recorded in the Northern Tablelands region.
Aged in their 80s, the couple returned to Inverell after they were on the Voyager of the Sea cruise, which docked in Sydney last Thursday.
After attending an Inverell medical centre on the weekend to be tested for COVID-19, the results came back positive on Tuesday.
The only people they had come in contact with since returning home are immediate family members, who are now also in isolation.
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McLean Care took to Facebook to announce the immediate closure of Killean Residential Care to all visitors after they received confirmation from Hunter New England Health of the two confirmed COVID-19 cases in Inverell.
The service has stated no home care clients, residents or staff associated with McLean Care is suspected to have, or has been diagnosed, with the virus.
"In line with our pandemic emergency management plan, we are closing Killean Residential Care immediately to all visitors. This means our previous visitor policy has been withdrawn and effective immediately, there will be no visitors allowed on site except staff and essential service providers.
"We will also be communicating with all of our residents, their nominated person responsible and our Home and Community Care clients to reassure them that all of our staff are well trained and have access to all the resources required to continue their work to the highest standard possible," the Facebook post read.
McLean Care continue to put safety first, including that of their residents, clients and importantly staff members.
Meanwhile, Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall will address the media in Armidale on Wednesday to discuss the information being provided to the community by Hunter New England Local Health District, regarding the location of confirmed cases and spread of COVID-19.
It's understood there have been concerns about the lack of information coming from the health service.
