Although NSW has seen a drop of new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, the Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) has recorded its largest spike since the outbreak began.

Of the 882 new cases announced across NSW today (Friday 27 August), 40 cases were from the WNSWLHD, five of which were from Bourke and four in Narromine. The total number of active cases in the community is currently 445.

15 cases are currently hospitalised, with five people in intensive care and three on ventilation.

Chief Executive of WNSWLHD Scott McLachlan confirmed that a "concerning" 13 cases were infectious in the community which included one in Bourke and three in Narromine.

"We're working around the clock to track down any people who may be at risk to the community - it is a daily challenge for us," Mr McLachlan said.

Nyngan residents have also been put on alert with a positive sewerage detection of traces of the virus being identified in the past 24 hours.

Mr McLachlan urged all Nyngan residents to not take any chances and come forward for testing if they have any signs and symptoms, however mild.

Other positive sewerage detections were also announced today for Gulargambone and Walgett, among others, although Mr McLachlan said this was hardly surprising with currently active cases in those communities.

More than 110 venues of concern that have now been identified across WNSWLHD. The full list is available on the NSW Health website.

Police not the only ones watching out for breaches

According to Assistant Commissioner Brett Greentree, NSW Police had recorded a total of 150 infringements across the region in the past 24 hours, including in excess of 10 in Bourke.

He said this was especially disappointing given some of the currently active cases in Bourke had been infectious in the community.

"Police have noticed more compliance with mask-wearing, which is good to see, but far less compliance with staying at home," Mr Greentree said.

"We will not take kindly to anyone not complying with the public health orders as they put us all at risk.

"It's important to note police are patrolling day and night - we are also receiving 100s of calls to CrimeStoppers and local police stations reporting breaches. It's not just police who are watching, it's also your neighbours, so I wish to extend a thanks to them for monitoring their communities."

Medical help on the way for the regions

Mr McLachlan was pleased to report the number of health staff currently in isolation due to potential exposure had decreased from 150 to 80 in the past 24 hours.

"It's great to see them return to the workforce," he said.

He also announced that health workers from different parts of Sydney would also be coming out to the Western Region from early next week to help with current staffing shortages.

"They will be incredibly helpful, particularly in Bathurst and Dubbo - we're looking for additional staff out in Bourke in coming days and weeks," he said.

"We also know we've got a long list of staff who are registered clinicians in the region that are potentially available and we'll be contacting all of those to see if there's anyone interested in coming back to work to the LHD to help us through this time in all of our communities."

He did reassure that all health staff coming out of Sydney would still undergo all the necessary precautionary testing involved with moving between urban and regional NSW.

Testing continues to decline while vaccine numbers go up

Testing is once again dropping across the WNSWLHD, with 3700 tests in the past 24 hours.

Mr McLachlan said this was the lowest turnout in weeks, particularly concerning because only four days before there had been 10,000 tests across the region.

An updated list of current pop-up, drive through and walk-in testing locations across the Western Plains can be found here.

On the other hand, vaccination rates hit another record - over 2000 across the ADF vaccinations in the past 24 hours, with more expected as they continue rolling out in other communities.

A regularly updated list of these ADF pop-up vaccination clinics, including dates, times and venues can be found here.

Mr McLachlan also said it had also been pleasing to see an delivery of over 17,000 additional Pfizer vaccines be delivered to the Western region from the Commonwealth and urged all residents to take any opportunity to receive either Pfizer or AstraZeneca, whether it was at one of their vaccination clinics, or local GPs, participating pharmacies and Aboriginal Medical Services.

When asked about the ATAGI recommending children aged 12 to 15 be included in COVID vaccine rollout, Mr McLachlan said this was being considered and expected to provide an update in the coming days.

For all the latest information about COVID-19 across the Western Plains, be sure to check out our COVID-19 button.