Bogan shire escapes lockdown while other LGAs have testing efforts ramped up

The Bogan shire is amongst many LGAs that were released from stay-at-home orders from 1pm today, following 14 days without a positive case. Meanwhile, the Warrumbungle shire has narrowly avoided a plunge back into lockdown, after a recent positive case was deemed low concern.

Up to 8pm last night, 27 new cases were recorded in the Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD), with a cumulative total of 1024 for the health district. 12  of the recorded cases are located in Dubbo, 1 in Wellington, 6 in Bathurst, 6 in Walgett and 2 in Bourke. 

Of those cases, 6 were infectious in the community, 7 were isolating and 14 are under investigation. 

While many LGAs are celebrating their release from lockdown, Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders is setting the record straight for speculation that is circulating on social media regarding mask wearing. 

“It’s become apparent that some people think there’s been a relaxing of rules around masks. Masks are remaining as mandatory,” said Mr Saunders. 

The warning comes as Western NSW has seen a dramatic rise from their single digit case numbers just yesterday. 

Chief Executive of WNSWLHD Scott McLachlan says that the numbers are a stark reminder of the Covid in the community that we aren’t aware of. 

“It would be very premature to think we’ve gotten in front,” said Mr McLachlan.

Walgett and Bourke shires remain areas of high concern for WNSWLHD as cases continue to come from the community and are urged to continue to seek Covid-19 testing. 

The concern for the two communities has also sparked an increased focus from police who are working to stop stay-at-home orders being breached. 

Surveillance testing underway

From today, Lightning Ridge will be one of the first communities in Western NSW where surveillance testing is enforced. Surveillance testing is designed to increase testing numbers – which are at a low 1700 in Western NSW over the last 24 hours – by allowing those being tested who aren’t displaying symptoms to continue without isolating. 

“This is about maintaining testing numbers and making sure we’re testing as many people as possible without inconveniencing you,” Mr Saunders said. 

The surveillance testing will extend to Bourke, Bathurst and Dubbo from tomorrow, and will continue to be looked at implementing in communities at risk and with staggeringly low testing numbers as the weeks progress. 

Mr McLachlan says that surveillance testing will be used as a tool to get ahead of the virus. 

“We should take the step in the coming days and weeks to expand the surveillance testing, we started with places where we know that there’s risk of further spread of the current outbreak,” said Mr McLachlan. 

For Mr McLachlan, the biggest issue remains around complacency. 

“We’ve passed another milestone of 1000 cases in total. That’s 1000 lives impacted. Covid won’t discriminate between you, brothers, sisters, aunties and uncles.”