AS CERTAIN parts of the Western Plains prepare to come out of lockdown conditions at midnight tonight, officials from the Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) say they and the rest of the region should not let their guard down for a second.

A total of 28 new cases of COVID-19 were identified in the WNSWLHD up to 8pm last night. The vast majority were in Dubbo while Bourke was the only town in the Western Plains area to record any new cases with three.

Of the district's total cases, 23 were linked to known exposures - 19 being household contacts - while five were still under investigation.

Chief Executive of the WNSWLHD Scott McLachlan said seven cases had been infectious in the community while an additional 14 were still under investigation.

"Today, we've got people who have been infectious in the community in the last 24 hours - it's a stark reminder on any day of the week, it could be your neighbour, it could be the person in the supermarket or service station, or yourself that could be infectious in the community, sometimes without knowing it," Mr McLachlan said.

"So please take all the precautions we know are crucial to help protect yourself and your loved ones."

Venues of concern continue to be updated as investigations from WNSWLHD teams continue, which include new venues in Walgett and Bourke. The full list of venues of concern across the region can be found on the NSW Health website.

 Lightning Ridge continues to be an area of concern with virus fragments found in samples from the sewerage treatment plant in the last couple of days.

Mr McLachlan urged residents in all these communities to go and get a COVID test due to the high potential for exposure, particularly if they have any signs or symptoms, however mild.

LGAs exiting lockdown urged to remain vigilant

As reported yesterday, parts of the Western Plains, including the Coonamble, Warren and Warrumbungles shires, alongside several other regional NSW LGAs, are expected to exit stay-at-home orders from 12.01am on Saturday 11 September and will follow a new set of rules unless any new positive cases are identified in their area.

At the same time, while he commended these communities for mostly adhering to the stay-at-home orders up until this point - resulting in lower cases - Mr McLachlan said it was "certainly not a time to be relaxed or complacent" for these communities or the remainder of Western NSW.

"Like everywhere, we still need to assume there's people in our communities who could have COVID - it's certainly not a time to let your guard down for a second," he said."

"I think there's still risk in all our communities that we can see further cases - can I urge everyone in Coonamble and the surrounding farming communities and smaller communities, don't relax your guard for a second.

"It is still time to be really vigilant - wear your masks outside, wash your hands regularly, keep your distance from other people, which is particularly important indoors, and check-in to facilities.

"Anyone who's in a rural community, it's not time to assume you're totally safe."

Other areas across the state will begin to roll out new freedoms for anyone who has received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine from Monday 13 September.

For those who live outside the LGAs of concern, up to five fully vaccinated adults can engage in outdoor recreation in a person’s LGA or within 5km of their home. Children under 12 will not be counted in this total.

The 70 per cent double dose vaccination rate is expected to be reached across the state by mid-October, with every expectation the Western NSW LHD will be at that level or above over the next few weeks.

With that milestone will come additional freedoms that the government has said are very similar to the ones that eligible LGAs will experience this weekend.

Testing hits a new low in Dubbo

With around 2400 tests across the region up to 8pm last night, authorities continued to emphasise the importance of getting tested, as well as the vastly improved wait and turnaround times in recent weeks.

Mr McLachlan said it was disappointing to see some locations having "record-low" testing rates while congratulating members of the Walgett community for taking advantage of the pop-up testing clinic at the local swimming pool with 200 tests.

This clinic will be moved to the Walgett Multi-Purpose Health Service over the weekend. An updated list of other pop-up testing locations across the WNSWLHD can be found here.

Vaccinations remain high as ADF begins again

Authorities were pleased to continue to report high numbers of people - 1800 in the past 24 hours - attending the ADF pop-up vaccination clinics across the region.

Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders reminded residents in his area of the first clinics of the second round begin in Dubbo tomorrow.

Hour-long appointments have been made individually with people who attended the first clinic to avoid overcrowding at one time.

A fully updated list of past, current and future pop-up vaccination clinics, including the current schedule for second dose clinics can be found here.

Vaccinations are also available at local GPs, participating pharmacies, Aboriginal Medical Services and respiratory clinics. Bookings at these venues can be found through the NSW Health vaccination eligibility checker.

For all the latest information about COVID-19 across NSW, including several handy links, be sure to check out our in-app COVID-19 button.