Covid cases have continued to climb in Coonabarabran as the latest outbreak saw over 700 residents get tested in just 24 hours. 

Six new cases have been reported up to 8pm last night, bringing the town's total since Friday to 26 positive cases.

Warrumbungle Shire Council Mayor Ambrose Doolan has congratulated the community on their solidarity in an effort to contain the virus. 

“The atmosphere is reasonably calm and settled now. Understandably when news broke people were fairly concerned, but since there’s been more clarity around numbers it’s a bit less frightening. People are just getting on with the job and doing what they need to do to stay safe,” he said

While no official restrictions have been made for the community, Mr Doolan says that people are taking isolation efforts into their own hands. 

“Between local police, local emergency services and local health, I think the matter is in hand. The people in the community are taking responsibility and doing the right thing,” Mr Doolan said. 

In unfortunate timing, the Coonabarabran hospital is already at full capacity, unable to cater to the potentially growing health needs of the community. 

Mr Doolan says that to his knowledge, only one hospitalisation has come from the almost thirty cases. 

“That person has gone off to Dubbo, which is a designated Covid hospital. We wish that person a speedy recovery,” he said. 

As rain poured down over the weekend, Mr Doolan said watching the community pull together to protect the town from further spreading has been a proud moment. 

“The council staff were the people who organised the roads we had to close for drive through testing. It should’ve been a day off for them and they were out in the rain. I’m sure the testing staff were looking forward to a Sunday with their families too,’ Mr Doolan said. 

“We might have to look at improving the facilities there. If we had a marquee there the people doing the testing won’t be out in the rain. Hopefully this won’t happen again, but it will be good to be prepared,” Mr Doolan said. 

Drive through testing will continue at Coonabarabran’s Cassilis Street today and tomorrow from 8:15 a m to midday.

Locals are encouraged to seek out testing for any symptoms regardless of how mild, and to practice good hygiene. 

“For the next few days, if we can just consider whether that in-person meeting could be done over the phone or online, it will all help” Mr Doolan said. 

Mr Doolan said that the rate of infection in the coming days will make or break the situation. The downward trend from 13 cases on Saturday is a promising beacon of light for the town. 

“If we continue on with this community effort, we’ll soon have all of this in the rear-view mirror.”