Up until 3pm today there have still been no new cases of COVID-19 identified in the Western Local Health District, despite virus fragments found in samples from the Mudgee on and Dubbo sewage treatment plants earlier this week.

Testing has ramped up in these areas with pop-up sites established at the Mudgee Field Days site and the Rylstone and Gulgong Showgrounds, and additional resources directed to the drive-through testing site at Dubbo Showground.

Up to 12noon today (Friday 6 August) almost 1,300 tests were completed at those sites and across the Western Local Health District more than 38,110 tests have been conducted.

Regional vaccines to be replenished

"On Thursday the Commonwealth Government announced that NSW will receive an additional 180,000 Pfizer doses over the next two weeks," a Western LHD spokesperson said.

"That will allow NSW Health to reinstate bookings affected by the recent reallocation of doses to year 12 students in south west and western Sydney."

The Western LHD's vaccination team is working through the implications of that announcement including how many additional Pfizer doses will be redirected to our District.

"At this stage, those additional supplies are expected to come into our District around Monday August 16," the spokesperson said.

"People whose bookings were recently cancelled will be re-booked as a priority to ensure they are the first to receive the new doses."

"Supplies of AstraZeneca to GPs, Aboriginal Medical Services, Respiratory Clinics and participating pharmacies are unaffected. Both Pfizer and AstraZeneca are safe, effective vaccines," they said.

Getting tested in your town

Testing sites are open at the usual facilities - like hospitals and Multi-Purpose Health Services - in all main communities in line with their normal opening hours.

With the possibility of cases being identified on our doorstep anyone with concerns is encouraged to get tested.

In most cases, people will receive their results within 72 hours.

If you are waiting longer, please call the public health team on 1300 066 055 between 8am and 5pm on weekdays.

Recent testing rates across our shires

The table below shows the COVID tests conducted by local government area in the last four weeks up to 8pm on 5 August.

Community members with questions or concerns about COVID-19, including testing and vaccination, should be encouraged to contact the National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080.

For information on COVID-19 testing locations go to the NSW Government website at www.nsw.gov.au and click the COVID-19 button to search for your nearest location. Anyone with symptoms related to COVID-19 should arrange to be tested and self-isolate until they receive their results.

For information on COVID-19 vaccination go to the COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Checker at www.health.gov.au