Far West LHD COVID-19 Update - 2 More Cases
There were two new cases of COVID-19 reported in the Far West Local Health District (FWLHD) to 8pm last night. The District continues to urge the community to get vaccinated and to get tested if experiencing even the mildest of symptoms.
The two cases are in Menindee and both are close contacts and were already self-isolating. All active cases in FWLHD 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.
One case recovered in Ivanhoe yesterday. The District's total number of recovered cases is 336 (152 from Wilcannia, 129 from Broken Hill, 39 from Wentworth, 12 in Ivanhoe, three from Balranald and one from Menindee).
The total number of active cases is 22 (10 in Broken Hill, six in Ivanhoe and six in Menindee).
Anyone with even mild cold-like symptoms is asked to come forward immediately for testing. If you have symptoms you must isolate after your test until you get a negative result. 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.
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 (16 November), South Broken Hill (16 November), and Dareton (16 November). Residents are urged to be vigilant for symptoms and come forward for testing. No traces of the virus was detected in sewage samples in Wilcannia (16 November), Wentworth (16 November), Buronga (16 November) and Balranald (15 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.
To book a vaccination appointment, access the Federal Government's Vaccine Clinic Finder: https://covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility.
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.