The Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) has apologised for a data error in yesterday's (Wednesday 1 December) new COVID case numbers which mistakenly reported a new case in Coonamble which was actually located in Coonabarabran.

The error was rumoured by members of the Coonamble community in the later part of yesterday afternoon and eventually verified by WNSWLHD earlier this morning.

"Further investigation has revealed an error in the reporting of one new case of COVID-19 in Coonamble to 8pm on Tuesday 30 November," a WNSWLHD spokesperson said.

"The case is actually located in Coonabarabran in the Warrumbungle Shire. There was no new cases identified in Coonamble to 8pm on Tuesday 30 November. WNSWLHD apologises for the error and any inconvenience it may have caused."

The revelation indicates, at this stage, the Coonamble township has only recorded a single case in 2021, which was discovered on Friday 26 November.

It has been unofficially reported this person has been isolating and has almost recovered from their infection.

COVID-19 testing remains available in Coonabarabran at Pruggers Bus Sheds on Gardener Street, in the industrial area off Newell Highway from 8:30am to 1pm, as well as the Coonamble Multi-Purpose Health Service via appointment only.

Despite the false Coonamble report, WNSWLHD continues to encourage residents across the district to follow all current public health orders, including those surrounding testing and vaccination, to protect communities against any potential presence of COVID across the regions.

For more information about COVID-19 in NSW, check out our in-app COVID-19 button.