How we live with the coronovirus is starting to shift since the spread of the Omicron version means almost every community in the region is experiencing new cases on a daily or at least weekly basis.

In a move designed to help residents re-focus their attention on "the most practical and important messages", the Western NSW Local Health District (LHD) has advised that, from tomorrow (Monday 24 January), the information reported in their daily updates will begin to change.

Mark Spittal, Western LHD Chief Executive, said, “We want to show the daily impact COVID-19 is having on our staff and hospitals, as well as focus on the uptake of vaccines in the 5-11 age bracket and booster shots – we know these figures are important to our communities.

“The number of new cases identified really just reflect on what is happening in the laboratory process. In previous phases of the pandemic they were useful but now the Omicron variant is in most of our communities, they are not the best indicator of risk anymore.

“We have been reporting the number of known cases identified across the District but with such good vaccination coverage, it’s incredibly likely there are many undiagnosed cases of COVID-19 in our communities," he said.

“Put simply, COVID-19 is everywhere and that’s why we have consistently been encouraging everyone to take sensible precautions all the time, rather than using the number of new cases identified on any given day as a catalyst to be COVID-safe.

Case numbers still available

Mr Spittal said that the number of new cases identified each day, both by PCR and RAT, will continue to be available through online sources and will be broken down into specific areas, but the emphasis will now be on hospitalisations to show both the impact on health services and the consequences of not being covid-safe.

“Regardless of why people are in hospital, if they have COVID-19 their care requires significantly more resource and the wider impact of COVID-19 can place services under pressure," Mr Spittal said.

“The impact on people who need non-urgent elective surgery is absolutely real and we are determined to get surgery back to being fully operational as soon as the need for capacity for COVID-19 care subsides.

“The individuals aren’t to blame, no one who is sensible intentionally catches COVID-19. But the reality is, the more we do as individuals and as a community to stay COVD-safe the more we’ll help reduce the impact on health services, which means those services can cope better and resume normal activity quicker.

“We need our health services and workforce there for everyone, not just COVID-19 patients. That’s particularly relevant as summer ends and enter colder months, when we typically have an upswing in demand," he said.

Cases leap in Lachlan shire

Today's figures show 578 new cases identified by PCR testing in the Western NSW Local Health District, with hospitalisations holding steady at 32 and no one in intensive care.

After largely avoiding the earlier outbreaks, Lachlan shire saw a leap in reported cases to 8pm last night with 43 (42 in Condobolin).

They were followed by Narromine shire with 24, Coonamble 18, Cobar and Bourke with 14, Gilgandra and Warrumbungle 10 (6 in Coolah), Walgett 5, Bogan 4, Warren 3, and Brewarrina shire with 1 new case.

“Remember, the vast majority of people who have COVID-19 can safely manage at home so have a ‘Plan C’ prepared if you, or someone in your household needs to isolate. That includes knowing how to manage your symptoms," Mr Spittal said.

“The best way for our communities to help is to get vaccinated as soon as possible, gets the kids vaccinated now they are eligible, and get your booster shot as soon as you can."