AS the current cluster of COVID cases in the Walgett community continues to grow, officials from the Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) hope new rapid testing as well as the inclusion of regional NSW in the state government's test and isolate payments will motivate the higher testing numbers they have been asking for.

The WNSWLHD recorded a total of 14 new cases across the region up to 8pm last night, however one was a false positive. The total cumulative number of cases across the region is now 992.

Nine of the new cases were recorded in Dubbo, while Wellington and Walgett had two each. An additional case was recorded in Lightning Ridge but this has since been confirmed WNSWLHD as a false positive.

Walgett 'top priority'

WNSWLHD Chief Executive Scott McLachlan said the Walgett township and the surrounding communities remain of particular concern for health officials.

"In Walgett today and in coming days, please come out and get tested - even if you haven't got any symptoms. We know in the last week there's been quite a few infectious people in the community and we know we haven't identified all the potential cases," Mr McLachlan said.

Mr McLachlan said it was important for people in Walgett, as well as the surrounding communities of Coonamble and Lightning Ridge to be extra vigilant for signs of COVID and frequently come forward for testing.

For neighbouring towns, testing is recommended if you or someone you know has been in Walgett since 4 September.

Venues of concern continue to be updated as investigations from WNSWLHD teams continue. The full list of venues of concern across the region can be found on the NSW Health website.

Low testing

There were around 2400 tests in the last 24 hours, a slight increase, but this was still nowhere near acceptable levels according to Mr McLachlan.

Despite the recent decrease in cases across the WNSWLHD, officials said the ongoing low testing numbers across the region meant they may be missing potential cases of COVID that were infecting even more people.

An updated list of other pop-up testing locations across the WNSWLHD can be found here.

Chief Executive from the WNSWLHD Scott McLachlan said the potential spread of COVID in rural communities like Walgett remains a chief concern for NSW Health and rapid testing in the area was a high priority.

New testing incentives

Mr McLachlan said NSW Health are introducing new ways to encourage people to come out and get tested earlier rather than later.

"We've taken a step to expand our testing today, particularly in Walgett," he said.

"What this means is that people who come and get tested, if you're not symptomatic and don't live with someone or been in contact with someone who is symptomatic, then you don't have to isolate post-testing.

"That's a big step for us to try and have a broader approach to picking up if there is anyone with early onset of COVID in the community. Even if you haven't got symptoms, you can start to have an infection brewing."

The state government has also announced today that its test and isolate payment of $320 was now available across the state for eligible workers who may miss out on work due while isolating and waiting for a test result.

"I think people should have some confidence with these payments, there is some support in place if you do need to isolate - it's a good, exciting step," Mr McLachlan said.

"We know there has been people holding back coming forward and getting tested because of their work environments or other challenges in everyday life, so hopefully this does make it a lot easier for people."

At the same time, Mr McLachlan continued to urge more people to come forward for testing regardless. The eligibility criteria and online application form for the payment can be found here.

Mr McLachlan also said it had also been really exciting to see all the new technologies rolled out resulting in time spent waiting for a result in some regional communities was lower than ever.

"A LIAT machine was delivered to Walgett hospital about a week to 10 days ago, which turns around a test in 20-25 minutes with a really high quality level for that test," he said.

"The AMS in Walgett likewise has a GeneX machine that's again a faster turnaround than what we typically see. Those machines are also at the local AMS and hospital in Bourke."

Mr McLachlan also pointed out that the pathology laboratories doing traditional testing had also significantly improved their turnaround times recently, some coming back in less than 24 hours.