Far West LHD COVID-19 Update - 3 More Cases
The Far West Local Health District urges the community to get tested if they have even the mildest of symptoms, with three new cases of COVID-19 reported to 8pm last night in the District. Everyone is also urged to get vaccinated if they have not already.
One case was confirmed in Broken Hill, Menindee and Ivanhoe. Two are household contacts and one is still being investigated.
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.
Residents in Menindee are urged to get tested and a pop-up COVID-19 testing clinic will operate at the Menindee Oval (Burke and Wills Park) today and Sunday from 10am to 2pm.
A pop-up COVID-19 testing clinic is also being operated at the Ivanhoe Health Service daily from 11am to 3pm.
There are venues of concern identified for Ivanhoe:
- Ivanhoe RSL, 51 Columbus Street
- 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
One case recovered yesterday, in Broken Hill. The District's total number of recovered cases is 319 (152 from Wilcannia, 126 from Broken Hill, 37 from Wentworth LGA, three from Balranald and one from Menindee). The total number of active cases is 27 (nine in Broken Hill, one in Wentworth LGA, one in Menindee 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 (9 November), and Wilcannia and Dareton (9 November). 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 (8 November), Wentworth and Buronga (9 November).
Those aged 12 years and above are now 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.
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.