The devastating death of an Aboriginal Enngonia woman in her seventies marked the second Covid-19 death in Western NSW and a timely reminder of the danger of the Delta strain.

The death comes as 44 cases in the Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) were recorded up to 8pm on Sunday 5 September, bringing the total number of cases in the region since the outbreak to 831. Of the cases recorded 35 were in Dubbo, 1 in Wellington, 6 in Bourke shire (including Enngonia), 2 in Orange and 1 in Narromine.

Of the 44 new cases, at least three had been infectious in the community, 9 had been isolating, and 32 are under investigation.

Chief Executive of the WNSWLHD Scott McLachlan says the region’s second death is a tragic reminder of the importance of vaccination.

“We know that the vast majority of people with covid in our care in the community program or in our hospitals are unvaccinated,” Mr McLachlan said. 

While 84 per cent of the total cases in the area have been aged under 50, it also serves as a reminder of the severity of the Delta strain of Covid-19 on the elderly, where health conditions deteriorate rapidly. 

Despite authorities hailing last weekend as the Super Swab Saturday and Sunday for Covid-19 testing, Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders says that the testing remains a weakness in the region, with only 2,400 people tested in the last 24 hours.

“A mild symptom might be a runny nose, sneezing, a bit of a headache or feeling slightly off. If you have anything like that, we really need you to come forward and get a test,” said Mr Saunders.

Locals are encouraged to seek out any opportunity for vaccination, with walk-in vaccination clinics underway across the region today in Walgett, Cobar, Bathurst and Orange.

“There have been huge amounts of people turning up, don’t be discouraged by that if you haven’t managed to get in. Make sure you keep coming back each day and having a go,” said Mr Saunders.

Mr Dugald warned locals that the popularity of the walk-in clinics means that there may be significant wait times, urging people to “take some food, water, a hat and sunscreen.”

While the number of daily vaccinations available at vaccination clinics are limited, Mr McLachlan urged members of the community to consider and seek out more opportunities for vaccination, including pharmacies and doctor surgeries.

Furthermore, he reiterated the quality of the AstraZeneca vaccine, urging people to consider it as an alternative to the limited supply of Pfizer.

“It’s a safe and highly effective vaccine and we know that over the longer period of time its more effective than Pfizer. The waiting times are very short for AstraZeneca, so please don’t hesitate,” he said.

While the state government has released modelling predicting that NSW will see case numbers peak next week, cases in Western NSW have flatlined, averaging 35-50 new cases per day, a majority of which are from household contacts.

“The number of people that are infectious in the community is the number we really want to see decrease,” said Mr McLachlan.

For those who are prevented from receiving their vaccinations by limitations on travel, free transport can be organised at transport.nsw.gov.au

Cobar

Walk-in clinic

7 Sept, 9am-4pm

8 Sept, 9am-2pm

Cobar Youth Centre, 1 Harcourt St, Cobar

Coonabarabran

Walk-in clinic

12 Sept, 9am-2pm

Coonabarabran Town Hall, 31-35 John Street

Enngonia

Walk-in clinic

 8 Sept

Venue TBA

Gilgandra

Walk-in clinic

 11 Sept , 10am-4pm

12 Sept, 9am-3pm

Gilgandra Shire Hall, 15 Warren Road, Gilgandra

Walgett

Walk-in clinic

7 Sept, 10am-4pm

8 Sept, 9am-2pm