Far West LHD COVID-19 Update - 1 More Case
The Far West Local Health District (FWLHD) reported one case of COVID-19 to 8pm last night. This case is in Menindee (Central Darling Shire LGA) and is the first confirmed case for that township.
This brings the total number of cases reported in the District to 273 (one in Balranald, 119 in Broken Hill, 152 in Wilcannia and one in Menindee).
The Menindee case is still being investigated and everyone in that township is urged to be extra vigilant and get tested even if you have the mildest symptoms. Testing is available at Menindee Oval, daily from 10am to 4pm.
All 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 more cases recovered yesterday (both in Broken Hill). The District's total number of recovered cases is 198 (one from Balranald, 60 from Broken Hill and 137 from Wilcannia).
The total number of active cases is now 74 (58 in Broken Hill, 15 in Wilcannia and one in Menindee).
The District is calling on anyone to get tested if they have even the mildest symptoms. Anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms such as fever, sore throat, cough, headache, or shortness of breath is urged to immediately get tested. Even people with mild symptoms, such as fatigue, new muscle aches or pains, a change in taste or smell or a new runny nose should arrange testing as quickly as possible.
Find your nearest testing clinic: COVID-19 testing clinics | NSW Government.
Sewage surveillance testing has detected traces of the virus that causes COVID-19 in Dareton from a sample taken on 28 September 2021, and Balranald from a sample taken on 22 September 2021. FWLHD urges these communities to be vigilant and to come forward for testing regardless of symptoms.
FWLHD has introduced voluntary surveillance COVID-19 testing in Dareton as part of an effort to increase the region's testing rates. Under the new measures, anyone in Dareton who does not have symptoms, and has not been identified as a contact, may be tested but will not need to isolate while awaiting their COVID-19 test results. Anyone who has symptoms, or has been identified as a casual contact of someone with COVID-19, will still need to isolate until they receive a negative test result. Close and household contacts need to isolate for 14 days regardless of their test results.
Several new casual contact venues have been confirmed in Far West LHD. Anyone who attended any of these venues listed on the specified dates and times is a casual contact (unless they have been contacted by NSW Health as a close contact) and must get tested and isolate until a negative test result is received.
- Lindsay's Auto & Essentials - 1 Blende Street
- Monday, 27 September, 3.35pm to 3.40pm
- Schinella's Friendly Grocer - 135 Argent Street
- Tuesday, 28 September, 9.25am to 9.50am
- Wednesday, 22 September, 10.35am to 10.45am
- Shannon Electrics - 106 Galena Street
- Tuesday, 28 September, 9.15am to 9.20am
- Monday, 27 September, 8.35am to 8.55am
- Foodland Broken Hill - 347 Beryl Street
- Tuesday, 28 September, 10.55am to 11.05am
- Reece Plumbing Broken Hill - 480 Argent Street
- Monday, 27 September, 3.25pm to 3.30pm
For a full list of locations, including close and casual contact venues, public transport routes or changes to previously reported venues, visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/COVID-19/nsw-COVID-19-case-locations
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.
Far West Local Health District continues to urge eligible people to come forward for vaccination (providing they are not cases, contacts of cases, are not isolating, and do not have symptoms). Those aged 12 years and above are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccination. People can make bookings via the Commonwealth Government's Vaccine Clinic Finder.