Covid-19 cases across the Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) have jumped by over 80 in a 24-hour period, bringing the newest number to 222 across the district. 

Up to 8pm last night there were 35 new Covid-19 cases across Western Plains shires, in line with the jump in case numbers in Western NSW. 

Within the Western Plains there were four new cases in Cobar, six in Coonamble, one in Gilgandra, six in Narromine, one in Walgett, six in Warren, and eleven in the Warrumbungle Shire.

Seven new admissions have been made to WNSWLHD hospitals, with only one patient being admitted into the ICU. 

The state case numbers, which have reached over 20,000 today, are in line with the NSW projections of recording 25,000 new daily case numbers by early-mid January, an inevitable consequence of the transmissibility of the Omicron variant and movements around the state over the holiday period. 

Testing numbers have remained high across the state, with significant delays to return test results still occurring, with some people reporting waiting periods of up to seven days within the WNSWLHD. 

While PCR testing is still encouraged for close contacts and people experiencing symptoms, the statewide testing priorities that have been introduced to alleviate pressure on testing site capacities and return results to high priority cases can be found below.