Statement - First COVID-19 case confirmed for Far West LHD
Far West Local Health District can confirm one case of COVID-19 is within the LHD as of Wednesday, 31 March 2020. The person is currently in self-isolation and is in contact with the health service.
Far West Public Health Unit is contacting people who had been in close contact with the person. Close contacts are asked to self-isolate for 14 days from their last contact with the case, or to be tested if they develop symptoms. These individuals will be followed-up daily and supported with ongoing advice.
As a matter of caution, anyone in contact with the case is asked to be alert to signs and symptoms of COVID-19.
Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose and sometimes shortness of breath.
If you develop these symptoms, call your doctor.
Far West LHD is currently operating one COVID-19 clinic, located at the Broken Hill Health Service (Thomas Street entry). This clinic is open from 10am to 8pm 7 days a week.
The clinic is for those most at risk with respiratory symptoms or fever, those returning from overseas or in contact with a COVID-19 case, or people like our health workers. People without symptoms do not need and will not be tested at this stage.
Far West LHD has also prepared its District facilities to respond appropriately to COVID-19. In the facilities at Tibooburra, White Cliffs, Wilcannia, Menindee, Ivanhoe and Balranald, a designated space separate from the main emergency department, has been established where people with mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19 can be safely screened. Anyone with severe symptoms is asked to call the facility ahead before attending the Emergency Department for screening and assessment and they may be transferred to a facility providing a higher level of care.
Community members in Dareton and Wentworth with mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19 are encouraged to contact their local GP's for screening and testing. People with severe symptoms are advised to present to Mildura Base Hospital for screening, assessment and treatment.
People who meet the criteria for testing for COVID-19 will be tested at these facilities, otherwise consult your family doctor in the first instance.
We encourage everyone to play their part in containing the spread of COVID-19 by washing your hands often, covering coughs and sneezes, maintaining social distance and staying home if you're unwell.
Visit the NSW Health website for more advice.
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/diseases/Pages/coronavirus.aspx