Far West LHD COVID-19 Update - 1 More Case
The Far West Local Health District urges the community to get tested if they have even the mildest of symptoms, with one new case of COVID-19 reported to 8pm last night, in Ivanhoe.
The case is a household 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.
A pop-up COVID-19 testing clinic will operate at the Ivanhoe Health Service daily from 11am to 3pm (local time).
There are venues of concern identified for Ivanhoe:
Ivanhoe RSL, 51 Columbus Street
Thursday, 4 November - 7.30pm to 8.30pm
Thursday, 4 November - 7pm to 11pm
Monday, 1 November - 7pm to 10.10pm
Ivanhoe Food Freight Supplies
Thursday, 4 November - all day.
Wednesday, 3 November - all day
Tuesday, 2 November - all day
Ivanhoe Petrol Station, 28 Columbus Street
Tuesday 2 November - 11am to 12 noon
Ivanhoe Hotel Motel, 10 Columbus Street
Thursday, 4 November - all day
Wednesday, 3 November - 1.20pm to 1.35pm
Tuesday 2 November, 4.30pm to 5.30pm.
Anyone who has been at these venues during the indicated times is a casual contact must get tested immediately and isolate until they receive a negative result.
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
The District's total number of recovered cases is 317 (152 from Wilcannia, 124 from Broken Hill, 37 from Wentworth LGA, three from Balranald and one from Menindee). The total number of active cases is 24 (seven in Broken Hill, one in Wentworth LGA and 16 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 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 allows the person to not have to self-isolate while they wait for their test results, provided they have no symptoms, and they are 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 Broken Hill and South Broken Hill (4 November), Wilcannia (3 November) and Dareton and Buronga (26 October). Residents are urged to be vigilant for symptoms and come forward for testing. No traces of the virus were detected in sewage samples in Balranald (3 November) or Wentworth (26 October).
Far West LHD 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). People who were not vaccinated at the time of contracting the virus are also eligible to be vaccinated as soon as they become COVID-19 negative. Those aged 12 years and above are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccination.
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.