“Lies, damned lies, and statistics” is a quote describing the immense power of numbers, particularly the use of statistics. This quote is usually attributed to Samuel Langhorne Clemens (aka Mark Twain). (FYI he did not say that).
Why is ITC drawing your attention to this quote? We thought it was apt in relation to COVID 19 confirmed cases statistics reported on a Local Government Area basis.
ITC recently noticed a post on the North Shore Times Facebook page that noted COVID 19 confirmed cases had a spike in a few North Shore Suburbs. They specifically mentioned Greenwich. When you click on the article linked to the Facebook post (sorry if you cannot access the link due to a paywall), the NST does correctly refer to cases in the 2065 postcode which includes Greenwich. From the publicly available information ITC has seen, it is impossible to accurately attribute the number of cases to a particular suburb (ITC could be wrong).
NSW Health COVID 19 Stats
Each day ITC receives a media release from the NSW Health setting out the new COVID 19 cases. Their media department also provides ITC (and many others) with a link to the confirmed COVID 19 cases per Local Government Area.
Data NSW also has a searchable database of Confirmed NSW COVID 19 cases. The Database can be searched via postcode, local government area or local district health area etc. A link to this data is here.
In our COVID 19 daily updates, ITC has been reporting the confirmed cases per Local Government. We list the cases attributed to Lane Cove 2066 and Greenwich 2065.
When NSW Health first started reporting the COVID 19 statistics, they did not provide the information broken down on a Local Government Area basis. After pressure from mainstream media, they started offering this information.
However, there is a flaw in the statistics.
Lane Cove Council Area
The Lane Cove Council area includes the following suburbs:
- Lane Cove
- Lane Cove North (part)
- Lane Cove West
- Linley Point
- Longueville
- Northwood
- Riverview
- Greenwich
- and St Leonards (part) -called by the Lane Cove Council St Leonards South. If you would like to know more about St Leonards South and the current over development issues read here)
Lane Cove Postcode 2066
The Lane Cove Postcode 2066 includes the following suburbs (according to Australia Post)
| 2066 | LANE COVE, NSW |
| 2066 | LANE COVE DC, NSW |
| 2066 | LANE COVE NORTH, NSW |
| 2066 | LANE COVE WEST, NSW |
| 2066 | LONGUEVILLE, NSW |
| 2066 | LINLEY POINT, NSW |
| 2066 | RIVERVIEW, NSW |
Greenwich Postcode Part 2065
As you can see from above Greenwich is a suburb within the Lane Cove Council Area, but it is not within postcode 2066. Greenwich’s Postcode is 2065.
Postcode 2065 includes the following suburbs (according to Australia Post)
| 2065 | CROWS NEST, NSW |
| 2065 | CROWS NEST DC, NSW |
| 2065 | GREENWICH, NSW |
| 2065 | NAREMBURN, NSW |
| 2065 | ROYAL NORTH SHORE HOSPITAL, NSW |
| 2065 | ST LEONARDS, NSW |
| 2065 | WOLLSTONECRAFT, NSW |
Number of Confirmed COVID 19 Cases per Local Govt Area according to NSW Data Set
As at 8 pm on 10 April 2020, NSW Dept of Health has recorded 40 confirmed COVID 19 cases in the Local Cove Council Area.
Postcode 2066 – 16
Postcode 2065 – 24
ITC drilled down into the data and noted that patients with confirmed cases of COVID 19 for patients who live in Crows Nest, Greenwich, Narreburn, St Leonards and Wollstonecraft are all being attributed as living in the Lane Cove Council Area. This is incorrect as some of those patients live in the Willougby City Council Area or North Sydney Council Area.
LGA Centroid
The NSW Health Page that lists the Confirmed Cases has the following explanation for where a postcode like 2065 spans more than one Local Government Area:
“This data includes confirmed COVID-19 cases only (based on location of usual residence). Cases without a valid NSW residential address are not shown. When a postcode of a case spans across more than one LGA, the case is counted under the LGA of the centroid of the postcode. LGA 2019 boundaries. The case definition of a confirmed case is a person who tests positive to a validated specific SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid test or has the virus identified by electron microscopy or viral culture, at a reference laboratory. The details on source of infection are subject to change as public health investigations and case interviews are ongoing.”
Do I hear you ask what is a centroid? That is a great question. A centroid, in this instance, is defined as the geometric centre of the postcode. Where is the geographic centre of Postcode 2065? Well, according to NSW Health it is Greenwich – which is why it is impossible to say the exact confirmed COVID 19 cases for Greenwich.
What Does This All Mean?
People want to know how many confirmed COVID 19 cases there are near them. If there were an app called Covo Near Me, it would probably be in the top 10 downloaded apps.ITC could not find a Covo near me app. There is the official Australian Government COVID 19 app you can download the official government “Coronavirus Australia” app in the Apple App Store or Google Play, or join our WhatsApp channel on iOS or Android.
It’s interesting to know the number of confirmed cases in our area. However, do not put too much emphasis on how many or how few cases there are.
The virus can be spread by people who have confirmed cases and by asymptomatic people (i.e. showing no symptoms).
According to Reuters and SBS, China will now also be reporting asymptomatic cases after the public wanted to know more. Read the SBS article here.
Everyone can help prevent the spread of COVID-19 by practising social distancing, thorough hand washing, cough etiquette and staying home unless it’s essential. To learn how to protect yourself and others, click here.
Lane Cove Guides and Resources
Lane Cove Restaurant and Takeaway Guide
Lane Cove Fresh Food/Groceries Home Delivery Guide
Lane Cove Coffee Shops and Cafes Guide
Lane Cove Health and Wellness For You and Your Pets
Shop Online Lane Cove Businesses and Help Them Out
When Are Your Permitted to Leave Your Lane Cove Home
For the Kids
Lane Cove Children’s Activities and Education Online
Sydney Community Services
Sydney Community Services is located in Lane Cove and has a long history of providing services to the aged and people living with a disability including social activities, gardening, home nursing, podiatry, Community Care Advisory, clean sheets and towels, home-delivered meals, home modifications and maintenance, flexible respite, carers support, shopping services, community and engagement programs, medical transport and assistance in daily life.
Sydney Community Services (9427 6425) is a central source for anyone in Lane Cove or Hunters Hill who either need to self-isolate or choose not to go outside as they worry they are at risk of the Corona Virus.
If you are a neighbour of someone who may be at risk, please check they are ok and let Sydney Community Services know if they need to be on the vulnerable list.
They are putting together a database of people who are in isolation. Still, they also need volunteers who can help others who need emergency supplies or even just give social contact through a phone link.
They take referrals by phone on 9427 6425. You can also email [email protected] with your details.
They are now the first line of contact for many elderly and vulnerable people in our community.
Thank you to everyone who has put their name down for volunteering with SCS. They are working hard to process all the applications and comply with government requirements for volunteers in the aged sector. SCS will be in contact with you as soon as possible to work out a role for you to play. However, as you can appreciate, with each new day and announcement, SCS has to readjust and change their plans.
They may need to call upon more residents in the future, but at this stage, they have enough volunteers.
Elderly or Vulnerable People Priority Online Shopping
If you are elderly or vulnerable, you can arrange for priority shopping with Woolworths. Coles is working to introduce their priority home deliveries by the end of this week.
Woolworths has introduced Priority Assistance home deliveries to help the elderly, people with disability, those with compromised immunity and those in mandatory isolation. To apply for Priority Assistance delivery, please complete the form at woolworths.com.au/priorityassistance
Coles Online has been temporarily diverted to the Coles Online Priority Service (COPS), allowing them to focus on delivering food and grocery essentials to elderly and vulnerable members of the community, including retirement and nursing homes. They will shortly announce how customers can access COPS; please check www.coles.com.au for more details.
Mental Health Support
If you aren’t feeling yourself lately, the Way2Wellness team are available to listen. Talk to a trained mental health supporter using a free and confidential wellbeing service.
For more information, visit: www.way2wellness.org.au or call: 1300 120 446 to chat.
Closest COVID 19 Testing Clinic
There is a COVID 19 Testing Clinic at Royal North Shore. These clinics are currently assisting with the assessment and testing of people with fever, cough or flu-like symptoms who are returned travellers or a contact of a confirmed case.
NSW Health Advice on Social Distancing
Everyone should practise social distancing, as it reduces the potential for transmission.
Social distancing is an effective measure to reduce the potential for transmission, but it is recognised that it cannot be practised in all situations.
Social distancing includes:
- avoiding places where it is difficult to keep the appropriate distance away from others
- attempting to keep a distance of 1.5 metres between themselves and other people where possible, for example when they are out and about in public place.
- do not shake hands, hug, or kiss people who do not live with you.
Be a Lane Cove Legend
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Did you know that In the Cove has an Instagram page? Yes, we do, and we feature pictures from our roving reporters and our ITC team that do not appear on our Facebook page. Follow us on @inthecove
