Local covid cases have continued to maintain a steady rate, but some say that the numbers aren’t to be trusted. 

Up to 8pm last night, there were 520 new cases identified in the Western NSW Local Health District. 

Of those cases. 48 are located in Western Plains shires, with one in the Bogan shire, six in Bourke, two in Brewarrina, nine in Cobar, three in Coonamble, three in the Lachlan shire, four in Narromine, three in Walgett, five in Warren and twelve in the Warrumbungle shire.

Member for Barwon Roy Butler said that while case numbers have long been a useful indicator to track the virus, the changing systems in place have sacrificed the numbers' credibility. 

“For a long time, there was a focus on Covid case numbers. It was a useful indicator when PCR testing was the only way of identifying cases. There was only one ‘gate to count cases’. Like counting sheep through a race,” Mr Butler said. 

While a new online system is being introduced to allow those testing positive from rapid antigen tests (RATs) to report their case, the technology is yet to go live, leaving thousands of cases unaccounted for. 

“The problem is all RATS have not formed part of the case numbers. There are also suspected to be tens of thousands of people who have Omicron, but don’t know they have it,” Mr Butler said. 

“To put it simply - Government has lost count of cases. This is not a cause to panic, more just a warning not to be overly reliant or sweating on daily case numbers,” he said. 



According to health experts, NSW case numbers are predicted to peak by the end of January, within 2-3 weeks. 

Ongoing positive cases across the district and state are being met with increased hospitalisations, including 2,030 people who have been admitted to hospital in NSW, and 22 in the Western NSW Local Health District. 

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said that of those hospitalisations, half of the admissions to ICU are unvaccinated. 

“That’s with a 95 per cent vaccination rate…the numbers don’t lie,” Mr Perrottet said. 

Locals are urged to get vaccinated, with children aged 5-11 drawing focus as the next group of people to get their vaccinations. 

To seek out vaccination opportunities, visit the WNSWLHD site.