Far West LHD COVID-19 Update - 1 More Case

The one new case is in Buronga (Wentworth LGA) and is under investigation. 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.

The District's total number of recovered cases is 272 (one from Balranald, 118 from Broken Hill, one from Menindee and 152 from Wilcannia).

The total number of active cases is 29 (three in Broken Hill, and 26 in Wentworth LGA).

Residents in Dareton, Buronga, Trentham Cliffs and Mourquong are urged to limit their movements in the community at this time and widespread COVID-19 testing is critical. 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.

The Far West LHD urge residents to come out in force and get tested, even if you are not sure you have any symptoms. We are concerned with the low rates of testing, particularly in Broken Hill.

Surveillance Testing has been introduced for Broken Hill and Wilcannia 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.

COVID-19 testing in Broken Hill is available at:

Memorial Oval, 9am to 5pm, seven days a week.

RFDS (BH Airport), 10am to 2.30pm, Monday to Friday.

COVID-19 testing in Wilcannia is available at:

Wilcannia Swimming Pool, Reid Street, 10am to 2pm, Monday to Friday.

Wilcannia Health Service, Saturday and Sunday.

Find your nearest testing clinic here: COVID-19 testing clinics | NSW Government.

There are a number of casual contact venues in the Far West LHD. Anyone who attended these venues on the specified dates and times listed 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.

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.