Far West LHD COVID-19 Update - 6 More Cases
The Far West Local Health District (FWLHD) reported six cases of COVID-19 to 8pm last night. This brings the total number of cases reported in the District to 268 (one in Balranald, 115 in Broken Hill and 152 in Wilcannia).
All six new cases are in Broken Hill. Three cases are household contacts, one case is a close contact and two cases are under investigation.
All 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.
14 more cases recovered yesterday (eight in Broken Hill and six in Wilcannia). The District's total number of recovered cases is 193 (one from Balranald, 56 from Broken Hill and 136 from Wilcannia).
The total number of active cases is now 74 (58 in Broken Hill and 16 in Wilcannia).
The District is calling on anyone to get tested if they have even the mildest symptoms. Anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms such as fever, sore throat, cough, headache, or shortness of breath is urged to immediately get tested. Even people with mild symptoms, such as fatigue, new muscle aches or pains, a change in taste or smell or a new runny nose should arrange testing as quickly as possible.
Find your nearest testing clinic: COVID-19 testing clinics | NSW Government.
Sewage surveillance testing has detected traces of the virus that causes COVID-19 in Dareton from a sample taken on 28 September 2021, and Balranald from a sample taken on 22 September 2021. FWLHD urges these communities to be vigilant and to come forward for testing regardless of symptoms.
FWLHD has introduced voluntary surveillance COVID-19 testing in Dareton as part of an effort to increase the region's testing rates. Under the new measures, anyone in Dareton who does not have symptoms, and has not been identified as a contact, may be tested but will not need to isolate while awaiting their COVID-19 test results. Anyone who has symptoms, or has been identified as a casual contact of someone with COVID-19, will still need to isolate until they receive a negative test result. Close and household contacts need to isolate for 14 days regardless of their test results.
There are a number of casual contact venues confirmed in Far West LHD. Anyone who attended any of these venues listed on the specified dates and times 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.