Covid-19 cases across the Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) have retreated from yesterday’s climb, as the New Year festivities die down and a sense of routine returns to the Western Plains. 

Up to 8pm last night there were 150 new cases identified in the WNSWLHD, 20 of which were from Western Plains shires. 

Of the local cases identified, one was in Bourke, two in Cobar, five in Coonamble, one in Narromine, five in Walgett, three in Warren, and three in the Warrumbungles. 

While testing and isolation requirements have appeared vague as the government reckons with the increasing demand on health services, NSW Health has reiterated the changes to definition of what a Covid-19 ‘contact’ is.

According to health authorities, those at the highest risk of catching Covid-19 is someone in the same house as a positive case, or who has spent a significant amount of time with a positive case. 

“These people are at high-risk and must have a PCR test as soon as they are told by the person who has COVID-19. They must isolate for 7 days, and have a negative rapid antigen test and no symptoms on day 6 before leaving isolation on day 7,” NSW Health reported. 

The changing priority of PCR testing has led to much deliberation around the funding of rapid antigen tests, where a statewide shortage has led to price-gouging (raising the price significantly above the recommended pricing) from local retailers. 

The price gouging has warranted a demand for the federal government to make the rapid antigen tests free, but in a Sunrise interview yesterday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison was adamant that this wouldn’t be the case. 

“We’re at another stage of this pandemic now where we just can’t go round and make everything free. We have to live with this virus,” Prime Minister Morrison said. 

“They are available at $15 and we are working on arrangements, as I flagged two weeks ago, for concessional access to those who are pensioners and others,” said the Prime Minister, despite many instances where test prices have been raised well above the $15 mark. 

While universally free tests are seemingly off the table, the NSW government plan to make them free is in progress, as the state works out how to suitably distribute the testing kits. 

PCR testing opportunities across the district can be found at the WNSWLHD site.