The number of positive covid cases in the Western Local Health District (LHD) dropped again yesterday to 14 with two of those in Walgett, three in Orange and 12 in Dubbo.

Three of those cases were infectious in the community, including the two cases in Walgett, but residents of those towns still in lockdown will still be able to enjoy some "small freedoms" from tomorrow.

Across the region 22 people remain in hospital and of those three are in intensive care and two are on ventilators. There are 457 people currently being looked after as part of the ‘COVID Care in the Community Program’ with another 34 people discharged from this program yesterday.

Positive sewage detections have been identified in Trangie and Nyngan but as yet no cases have been detected. People in Trangie, Nyngan and Lightning Ridge are encouraged to get tested as soon as possible as authorities attempt to clarify the source of the virus traces in their respective sewage systems.

Drive-through testing is available in Lighting Ridge today at the Bowling Club until 4pm and in Walgett at the Multi Purpose Centre, call 6817 9400. The Walgett testing site will return to the swimming pool tomorrow (Monday 13 September). At Narromine, drive-through testing is available at the showground from 9.30am to 2.30pm.

A heavy vehicle testing site has been established at the Blackbutt Reserve beside the Newell Highway just out of Dubbo. The testing station will be manned from 6am to 9pm and will continue to operate after these hours using telehealth supporting self-testing for those truck drivers travelling overnight.

Click here for WHERE TO GET TESTED

Wellbeing checks 'far outweigh' fines issued

Assistant Commissioner Brett Greentree praised the community for their compliance with the Public Health Orders.

"It is really pleasing to see a reduction in the amount of infringements issued across our region," Mr Greentree said.

"This tells me the majority of people are doing the right thing."

Fines were issued to just over twenty people across the region, with five of those in Bourke.

Mr Greentree pointed out that police are far more active in doing wellbeing checks than compliance at present.

"In the same period there were more than 240 wellbeing checks in Dubbo and 100 in Bourke by police, health and the defence force," Mr Greentree said.

"These will continue right across our region and we would like to them to far outweigh the infringements."

"We have a very delicate week or two ahead of us as we move towards October."

Small freedoms and vaccinations continue to build

The member for Dubbo described what he called the "little ray of sunshine" for those who are double-vaccinated.

From tomorrow (Monday 13 September) groups of up to five double-vaccinated people can gather outdoors for a picnic or barbeque.

"This is not a chance to kiss and hug and carry on," Mr Saunders said. "It is for families and friends to socialise in a sensible way."

"It is just a little ray of sunshine to show us the way forward for our region," he said. "It is up to you to follow the rules but it is a little bit of freedom if you are double-vaccinated."

Children under 12 years can also attend these gatherings in addition to the double-vaccinated adults.

According to Mr Saunders, towns across the region are "in most cases well above 70% for first doses."

"We hope to reach the 70% double-dosed in the next few weeks," Mr Saunders said.

In the meantime, Assistant Commissioner Greentree reminded people that police will continue to check that the rules are being followed as people in towns still in lockdown to take advantage of the new freedom to gather in small groups.

"We need to be reasonable," he said. "It is up to you to familiarise yourself with what the restrictions are, what you can do and what you can't do."

"If you are not double-vaccinated you will receive a fine. Police don't want to go out and issue fines so please make sure you have your vaccination certificate with you."

Police are continuing to receive a high number of reports of possible infringements and community members can ring Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 if they have concerns.

"Ring Crime Stoppers and we'll have a look at it," Mr Greentree said. "It is our job to check if it is legitimate or not."

"We can see the end in sight and I want to commend our communities and our community leaders for getting us to the other side, which I can see coming very soon."

If you are in Dubbo, Gilgandra, Walgett, Lightning Ridge, Brewarrina, Bourke, Nyngan, Trangie and other shires still under Stay at Home orders, please check the latest rules here

For those in the western plains shires of Warrumbungle, Warren, Coonamble, Cobar and others deemed low risk or with no active cases for the past 14 days, some rules still apply following even though stay at home restrictions were lifted yesterday (Saturday 11 September), please check the rules here.