Far West LHD COVID-19 Update - 3 More Cases
There were three new cases of COVID-19 reported in the Far West Local Health District (FWLHD) to 8pm last night.
Results of genomic sequencing for one person who arrived in Broken Hill from southern Africa on 26 November and tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday (Monday) are also expected today.
However initial testing indicates this person is unlikely to have been infected with the Omicron variant. This person, who is fully vaccinated, is isolating at home.
All three of today's cases are in Broken Hill and two are household contacts, and one is under investigation. 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.
Three cases recovered in the District yesterday, one each in Broken Hill, Ivanhoe and Menindee. The District's total number of recovered cases is 353 (152 from Wilcannia, 137 from Broken Hill, 40 from Wentworth, 17 in Ivanhoe, three from Balranald and four from Menindee).
The total number of active cases is 17 (12 in Broken Hill, and five in Menindee).
There are new venues of concern associated with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in Broken Hill:
- Joy Baldwin School of Dance, 234 Lane Street
- Saturday, 27 November: 10am to 11.30am CST.
- Broken Hill Airport - arrivals and baggage areas
- Friday, 26 November 2021: 3.15pm to 4pm CST.
If you were at these venues during those time, and have already not been contacted by Public Health Unit, you must get tested and self- isolate until you receive a negative result. Households of the people who attended the dance school are also requested to test and isolate until they get a negative result.
Go here for testing and isolation information: https://www.nsw.gov.au/COVID-19/stay-safe/testing Anyone with even mild cold-like symptoms must immediately get tested and self-isolate until a negative result is received. Find your nearest testing clinic: https://www.nsw.gov.au/COVID-19/health-and-wellbeing/clinics
New rules for returning travellers regarding the Omicron B.1.1.529 variant of concern are now in place. In line with Commonwealth measures, all travellers arriving in NSW who have been in South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini, and Malawi during the 14-day period before their arrival in NSW must enter hotel quarantine for 14 days, irrespective of their vaccination status.
All travellers who have been in any other overseas country during the 14-day period before their arrival in NSW must travel directly to their place of residence or accommodation and isolate for 72 hours, pending further health advice. It is an offence not to comply with a Public Health Order and penalties can apply. Compliance checks will be undertaken.
It is critical that anyone who has already arrived in NSW who has been in any of the eight African countries within the previous 14 days must immediately get tested and isolate for 14 days, and call NSW Health on +61 1800 943 553.
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 (25 November), South Broken Hill (25 November), Wilcannia (23 November) and Dareton (24 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 Wentworth (23 November), Buronga (23 November) and Balranald (22 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.