COVID has returned to Brewarrina and a cluster of cases has emerged in Warren and Trangie as more of the region's residents come to terms with being in isolation through the Christmas and New Year period. 

Of the 80 cases reported in the 24 hours to 8pm on Wednesday 29 December, 20 were in western plains communities. 

There were 8 new cases recorded in Warren, five in Narromine shire with four of those in Trangie, four in Brewarrina, one in Bourke, 1 in Warrumbungle shire (in Coolah), and one more in Coonamble. 

The remainder of cases were in Orange (27), Mid Western LGA (Mudgee 5, Cumnock 2, Manildra 2, Cargo 1), Bathurst (4), Kelso (2), Oberon (4), Dubbo (4), Blayney (2), and Forbes (1). 

How long to stay home 

The rules around testing and isolation have changed lately but the most recent advice from NSW Health is that you must self-isolate for ten days from the day you were tested. 

While this may mean an extended home lockdown for those unable to access testing during weekends and public holidays, the bright side is that you can leave isolation after 10 days if you haven’t had any symptoms in the 72 hours beforehand. 

"Even if you don’t have symptoms, you must isolate for the full 10 days," a spokesperson for NSW Health said. 

"You will get a SMS from us after 10 days, but you don’t have to wait for this to leave isolation if it’s been 10 days since your test and you don’t have symptoms." 

NSW Health is also encouraging everyone to incorporate all basic covid-safe measures into all celebrations and events over the holiday period and especially the New Year weekend.