WARNINGS from the Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) that there was at least one positive case of COVID-19 in the Lightning Ridge community have been confirmed in today's update.

There have been multiple positive detections of fragments of the virus in samples taken from the local sewage treatment plants over the last few weeks, resulting in health officials calling on the community to come forward for testing.

They ramped these calls up today with the newly identified case also confirmed as being in the community while infectious with the virus.

Up to 8pm last night, a total of seven new cases - including the Lightning Ridge case - were identified in the WNSWLHD. The cumulative total cases in the district is now 1571.

Other cases were located in Bathurst (two, one of which was infectious in the community), Bourke (one), Dubbo (two) and Walgett (one).

The Walgett case has been identified as not being infectious in the community, while the remaining four are still under investigation.

The new cases were identified from a total of 1650 tests conducted across the district yesterday, which officials say is way too low to stay on top of possible cases floating around the community.

COVID-19 testing is available in all the locations with new cases. A list of pop-up testing clinics can be found here.

There is currently no pop-up clinic in Lightning Ridge. Instead residents are encouraged to phone the local Multi-Purpose Health Service on 02 6820 5700 to book an appointment.

There are now two patients in hospital across the district, although neither are currently in intensive care.

A further 15 patients were discharged from the WNSWLHD's COVID Care in the Community program yesterday.

According to data from the LHD, around 121 people - including 21 from Bourke, nine from Narromine and three from Walgett - have been discharged from the program between Wednesday 13 October and Wednesday 20 October.

As of 20 October, 135 people - including eight in Bourke, five in Narromine and 44 from Walgett - were still being cared for under the program.

Staff from the WNSWLHD continue to promote the various vaccination opportunities across the district, including a state-wide push for residents aged 12-15.

WNSWLHD Chief Executive Scott McLachlan said while vaccination rates for residents aged 16 and over were quite good, there was still room for improvement in the number of 12-15 year olds who are still to be vaccinated.

NSW residents aged 12-15 are the latest focus for the WNSWLHD vaccination rollout.

“Since the start of the Delta outbreak in our district we’ve seen 142 children aged between 12 and 15 years old contract COVID,” he said.

“39 per cent of our local cases have been aged under 19 years old, which goes to show that this virus is not only impacting the elderly and we need to be doing everything we can to protect these young people as well.

“Right now the best way to protect them is by ensuring as many people as possible over the age of 12 are getting their two doses of vaccine, especially now that schools have resumed face to face learning.”

In addition to the traditional health services providing vaccinations, like GPs, participating pharmacies and AMS clinics, multiple pop-up vaccination clinics are available this weekend across the district.

This includes one at Coonabarabran Town Hall on Saturday 23 October from 10am-2pm.

Check out our in-app COVID-19 button to find more information and links about COVID-19 in NSW.