In the past 24 hours, the first death from covid-19 in the Western Local Health District - a 50 year old Aboriginal man in Dubbo - has officials calling for people to 'stop messing about' with covid.

"This is a tragic day, and our thoughts and condolences go to the family and friends of the man who has passed away," said Assistant Police Commissioner Geoff McKechnie at the midday briefing today (30 August 2021).

"It is a significant reminder of the dangers this virus presents to us at the moment."

Mr McKechnie said that, with 160 infringement notices issued across the region in the previous 24 hours for contravening the Public Health Orders, more assistance is needed from the community.

"There are still too many people not taking this seriously," Mr McKechnie said.

"Honestly, it beggars belief that there are still people continually flouting the rules."

While Mr McKechnie commented the vast majority of the region's residents who are abiding by the Stay-at-Home rules, he said more needs to be done.

"It is becoming clear we are dealing with a group now who just seem to want to not follow the rules," he said.

"We need the leaders and anyone who has influence in our region to help where they can. Please talk to the young people in particular and ask them to please wear masks, stay at home, and follow the rules for their own health, and the sake of their families and friends."

West hits a new case record

A record 51 new positive cases were announced for the Western district, with 33 in Dubbo, 4 in Bourke and one each in Brewarrina and Narromine.

This brings the total of infected people across the west to over 500.

"There are still far too many infectious in the community," said Western LHD CEO Scott McLachlan.

"We know there will be more people out in the community who have covid."

"On any day of the week, any hour of the day it could be anyone, it could be you or the person next to you," he said.

"No-one should be complacent."

There are currently 16 people in hospital including four in intensive care and of those, three are on ventilators.

Thirty one people have been discharged back into the community in the past 24 hours after recovering from covid and there has also been a significant reduction in the number of health staff in isolation, down to 63 workers across the region.

Additional health staff have come into the region from Sydney, along with Rural Fire Service volunteers with health training, and Australian Defence Force personnel continue to bolster services.

'Pleasing increase' in number of Aboriginal residents getting vaccinated

In the past couple of weeks there has been a significant increase in the number of Aboriginal people coming forward to get vaccinated.

In Coonamble 48% of eligible Aboriginal community members have had their first dose and 20% their second; in Brewarrina 58% and 18%, Bourke 42% and 16%, and in Walgett 61% have had their first jab and 12% their second.

"This is a pleasing increase, " Mr McLachlan said. "But we still have a long way to go to get to the magic numbers of 80% of the whole population fully vaccinated."

Mr McLachlan said the man who died wasn't vaccinated but did have underlying health issues.

He reiterated his call for people to get vaccinated now.

"Don't delay another day take steps now to get vaccinated," Mr McLachlan said.

"Vaccination will stop people dying, it will stop them going into intensive care, and stop them getting really crook."

Testing numbers way too low

A further decline in testing, down to just 2900 tests across the whole region, is considered to be part of the reason that the virus is still spreading.

Mr McLachlan reminded people with any symptoms, concerns or casual contact to get tested.

"The testing turnaround times are continuing to come down," he said.

"The decreasing numbers (of tests) is a real concern. We're asking everyone not to mess around if you have symptoms.

"We do need to be ready for case numbers to continue to grow purely because of the number of people infectious in the community.""

"Even if you've had one or two vaccinations, it doesn't prevent you from getting covid or becoming infectious," Mr McLachlan said.

"So if you've been vaccinated or previously had a test and you have symptoms, come and get a test."

"We need to assume there's people with covid in all our communities," he said. "Continue to take all the precautions - wear masks, use sanitiser, socially distance, sign in with your QR code and keep getting tested."