NEW cases of COVID-19 continue to crop up in the Western Plains, with three identified in the Walgett LGA in the past 24 hours and more expected to follow in the coming days.

With the state-wide lifting of the stay-at-home orders across NSW yesterday (Monday 11 October), health officials say it is important to continue coming forward for regular testing and increasing the area's vaccination rate.

Spreading signs in Walgett shire

Up to 8pm last night, there were 11 new cases of COVID-19 identified across the Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD).

Two of these were from Walgett while another was from Collarenebri. Other cases were from Orange (four) and Wellington (four).

WNSWLHD Chief Executive Scott McLachlan said two cases had been confirmed to be infectious in the community, including the case in Collarenebri where there were already signs of community transmission.

"We have seen another couple of cases identified in Collarenebri overnight, so I urge everyone in that community to please be on guard for any signs or symptoms and please come to get tested," Mr McLachlan said.

Mr McLachlan said both Walgett cases were still under investigation but the recent spike in case numbers in the area, along with recent rumours of gatherings over the weekend meant there was a high risk of further spread across the community.

"Across the Walgett cases in the last week, a lot of them have been kids. We know kids would obviously be circulating with their mates so there is definitely risk of spread among young people."

According to Mr McLachlan further venues of concern have been identified in several areas, including at Bourke and Trangie. The regularly updated list of venues across the state can be found on the NSW Health website.

The next step in COVID management 

Mr McLachlan was asked about recent comments from Deputy Premier Paul Toole about the possibility of future localised lockdowns for areas with skyrocketing case numbers.

He said this was still being looked at but urged all communities to take all precautions outlined under the new public health orders and continue to get vaccinated to keep themselves and their communities safe.

"The release of stay-at-home orders doesn't signal the end of the pandemic - we know we will be living with COVID in our communities for quite some months and potentially years into the future," he said.

There have been no new sewerage detections in the WNSWLHD outside areas with confirmed cases, although Mr McLachlan said they were remaining vigilant in areas with recent positive results.

This includes the Gulargambone community where there have been no further detections since a positive detection taken on 6 October which Mr McLachlan said indicated the possible presence of COVID-19 in their town.

According to Mr McLachlan, a new sample was taken yesterday (Monday 12 October) but residents should be taking advantage of any opportunities for testing, including a free drive-through testing clinic at the local Multi-Purpose Health Service on Thursday 14 October from 12-2pm.

Across the region, about 2800 people came forward to be tested in the past 24 hours. Mr McLachlan said a much higher rate of testing - including regular surveillance testing - across the region was going to be important moving forward.

"Regular testing is going to be very crucial over the next few weeks as people begin circulating across the region with the new freedoms," he said.

Testing is currently available across the LHD in various multi-purpose health services by booking in advance as well as several pop-up testing clinics at pre-determined dates, locations and times.

Mobile-at-home testing services are also available in several communities, including Narromine.

Chief Executive of the WNSWLHD Scott McLachlan said there was still high risk for western NSW despite as new freedoms begin from this week.

More work to do

Mr McLachlan also pointed out the multiple opportunities for vaccination across the district, including ADF pop-up vaccination clinics, GPs, pharmacies, local AMS clinics and respiratory clinics.

Despite the LHDs high rates of vaccination across multiple communities, he said there was still work to do.

"We're not there yet with the vaccination rates that are going to protect us all when we do see COVID inevitably circulating more broadly through our community," he said.

"We do need to get up over 90 per cent in the next week to 10 days - I'm confident we can get there but it will be a challenge for everyone to remain focused and supportive around that."

Updated information on COVID-19 across the region, including several helpful links, can be found through our in-app COVID-19 button.