Christmas Day would have seen the movements of many families constrained with the latest covid outbreak spreading simultaneously across more local government areas than at any previous time in the pandemic. 

Up until 8pm on Christmas Eve, there were 119 new cases in the Western NSW Local Health District (LHD). 

Few small towns across western plains area have been left untouched with Narromine and Coonamble recording 8 new cases each, 4 were identified in Warrumbungle Shire, 3 in the Cobar and Walgett shires (including2 in Burren Junction), 2 in Nyngan, and 1 in Bourke, Brewarrina, Gilgandra and Warren. 

Only 3 people have been hospitalised and none of those are in intensive care. 

The Western LHD say that the spike was expected. 

Further ups and downs are likely to follow due to testing availability and delays. 

"As anticipated, longer than usual times for test results to come through have contributed to a significant increase in new cases up to 8pm last night," a LHD spokesperson said. 

"Most testing facilities will not be operating on public holidays." 

"If you have symptoms or have received health advice to be tested, please self isolate and arrange for a test as soon as possible." 

Plans for celebrations through to New Years Eve are also likely to be disrupted as numbers continue to climb. 

"I feel for those families separated by borders and awaiting test results to get together, or affected by flooding," said Roy Butler, Member for Barwon in his Christmas Day message. 

 "Please take care and check in on people who are vulnerable."