The reported case is from Broken Hill and is a close contact.
All active cases are in isolation and are being contacted regularly by NSW Health staff for health and welfare checks. Follow up investigations and contact tracing are continuing.
Two cases recovered in Broken Hill yesterday. The District's total number of recovered cases is 323 (152 from Wilcannia, 129 from Broken Hill, 38 from Wentworth LGA, three from Balranald and one from Menindee).
The total number of active cases is 28 (9 in Broken Hill, two in Menindee and 17 in Ivanhoe).
Anyone currently experiencing or who has recently experienced even mild cold-like symptoms is asked to come forward immediately for testing. It's important that you isolate after your test until you get a negative result if you have symptoms. Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, sore throat, cough, headache, runny nose, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle aches or pains, and a change in taste or smell.
Surveillance testing has been implemented across the Far West Local Health District to encourage more people to get tested. Surveillance testing is the same as normal COVID-19 testing but there is no requirement to self-isolate while awaiting the test results, provided the person tested has no symptoms, and is not a close or casual contact of a confirmed case and everyone at home is well. Anyone with symptoms must still isolate until they receive a negative result.
Find your nearest testing clinic here: COVID-19 testing clinics | NSW Government.
Sewage surveillance testing has detected traces of the virus that causes COVID-19 in samples taken at South Broken Hill (11 November), and Wilcannia and Dareton (9 November). Residents are urged to be vigilant for symptoms and come forward for testing. No traces of the virus were detected in sewage samples in Broken Hill (Wills St) (11 November), Balranald (10 November), Wentworth and Buronga (9 November).
Those aged 12 years and above are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccination. Far West LHD continues to urge the community to come forward for vaccination (providing they are not cases, contacts of cases, are not isolating, and do not have symptoms). People who were not vaccinated at the time of contracting the virus are also eligible to be vaccinated as soon as they have recovered.
NSW Health state-run clinics are now offering a booster dose, using the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, to individuals aged 18 and over. This booster shot will help people maintain a high level of protection against the COVID-19 virus, including the Delta variant. People aged 18 years and older may receive a booster at least six months after receiving their second dose of any of the COVID-19 vaccines registered for use in Australia.
Anyone in the community with COVID-19 who is isolating at home is reminded they should call the public health unit on +61 1300 066 055 if they have any health concerns. Please call Triple Zero (000) in an emergency, including a deterioration in symptoms.
