The Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) has recorded its third death after a man in his sixties from Dubbo who was infected with COVID-19 passed away yesterday (Tuesday 7 September).

The man, who was hospitalised in Sydney, is the second death from the virus recorded in the region over the past week after an Aboriginal woman in her seventies from Enngonia passed away on Monday.

The news comes as the WNSWLHD recorded an additional 27 new positive cases of COVID-19 up to 8pm last night.

17 of the cases were in Dubbo, three were in Bathurst, six were in Bourke - three of which were in Enngonia - and one was in Walgett.

According to the WNSWLHD, at least eight of the new cases were infectious in the community, while a further six were still under investigation.

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.

Worrying statistics

The cumulative total of positive COVID-19 cases across the region is now 885, the vast majority of which were from the Dubbo LGA.

The WNSWLHD said of these, 63 per cent of the cases identify as Aboriginal and 47 per cent were under 20, showing the rapid spread of the virus between young people and members of Aboriginal communities.

Only three per cent of the cases were over 70, though authorities clarified while that didn't sound like many, it was 31 different people who were particularly vulnerable to the deadly effects of the virus.

Recoveries increase as another death is confirmed

According to authorities, an additional 48 people were discharged from the WNSWLHD's COVID Care in the Community Program, taking the total number of recoveries to 392.

At the same time, they were disappointed to report the death of a man who was hospitalised at Sydney's Royal Prince Alfred Hospital over the past 24 hours.

According to Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders, the man was Aboriginal, unvaccinated and had a number of underlying health conditions.

"Our thoughts are obviously with the man’s family and friends and the entire community at this extremely difficult time," Mr Saunders said.

"Of course this is never an easy thing to talk about, but it is one of the stark realities around COVID-19."

Mr Saunders clarified that despite misconceptions around Dubbo being considered an area of concern to the state government, it was still not classified as a hotspot.

However, he also said while he was hopeful some parts of regional NSW may exit lockdown conditions sooner rather than later, it was unlikely the district would come out of stay at home orders this weekend (midnight on Friday 10 September) due to the consistent numbers of new cases in multiple areas on a daily basis.

Testing not good enough but vaccination soars

Senior Medical Advisor, NSW Health Public Health Response Branch Dr Jan Fizzell reported testing across the region had once again dropped to just over 2800 tests in the last 24 hours. She said this simply wasn't good enough.

"Nearly 1200 of those tests were in Dubbo alone - this is a really big region and we do need people testing," Dr Fizzell said.

"Don't think 'we never have a case here' or 'I haven't been out' - if you have any symptoms, please come forward and get tested, it is so important. It is also spring and allergies are about, but please don't write (potential COVID symptoms) off as allergies and get tested."

Dr Fizzell said any delays in testing also put contact tracing teams up to around a week behind in telling other people they may have been exposed to the virus.

An updated list of pop-up testing locations across the WNSWLHD can be found here, with an additional drive-through clinic currently available at the Walgett Swimming Pool 9.30am-4pm until Friday 10 September.

As for vaccinations, WNSWLHD recorded a nearly 2500 vaccinations through the ADF pop-up vaccination clinics which Mr Saunders called "really good news".

In the Western Plains, ADF vaccination clinics are currently available in Walgett at the local RSL and Cobar at the Youth Centre Wednesday 8 September, both due to wrap up this afternoon.

Mr Saunders reported the second dose ADF clinics are due to begin at Dubbo Regional Theatre this Saturday (11 September) and roll out again across the regions over a three week period.

A fully updated list of past, current and future clinics can be found here, though vaccinations are also available at local GPs, participating pharmicies, Aboriginal Medical Service clinics and respiratory clinics. Bookings at these venues can be found through the NSW Health vaccination eligibility checker.

For all the latest information about COVID-19 across NSW, including several handy links, be sure to check out our in-app COVID-19 button.