Up to 8pm last night there were 39 new cases identified in the Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) as the Omicron variant further infiltrates the region. 

Three of the local cases fell into Western Plains shires, with one case identified in Walgett, one in the Warren, and one in the Warrumbungle Shire (in Coolah).

The number of cases for the region is a sharp increase from what was an average of around 25 cases, just yesterday.

With the holiday season well on its way, visitors entering the Western Plains means that a rise in local infections is inevitable, prompting health officials to urge locals to get tested, regardless of symptoms. 

WNSWLHD Acting Chief Executive Mark Spittal said that while restrictions have eased, it is the obligation of the public to uphold safety within the community. 

“There’s a great deal that every one of us can do to minimise the spread of covid, and we’re calling out to everybody to play their part,” Mr Spittal said. 

“We’re asking everyone to take responsibility and to be sensible to protect those around you and protect yourself…for me it means some simple things. It means washing your hands regularly, sanitising, and wearing a facemask when you’re indoors and not able to socially distance from those around you,”  Mr Spittal said. 

On a positive note, Mr Spittal said that hospital admissions from Covid-19 aren’t trending upwards, although local services are conscious of capacity. 

“This is an evolving situation for all of us in the local health district…we are also caring for patients whose issues are completely unconnected to covid, and we want to protect our ability to do that,” Mr Spittal said. 

Testing and vaccinations will continue to be available over the holiday period, although the services will continue at a more limited capacity on holidays such as Christmas, Boxing Day, and New Years Day. 

For mandatory testing, authorities urged that where possible, people avoid testing on those days due to lower staff numbers. 

For further information about testing and vaccination clinics, visit the WNSWLHD site.