About 1.5 per cent of the those in the Western NSW who have been tested for COVID-19 have returned positive results, says chief executive Scott McLachlan.
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There have been more than 1100 coronavirus tests undertaken in the local health district. To date, there have been 21 confirmed cases of COVID-19.
They have been reported in the Bathurst, Blaney, Cabonne, Cowra, Dubbo Mid-Western and Orange local government areas.
"One thing I'd love to confirm with the community is that all of the people that have either had a confirmed case, or been connected with those, have been contacted, so if you haven't heard from our public health team, please don't be concerned," Mr McLachlan said.
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He said for those who needed care, the LHD and all of the services within it were ready to care for those who needed it. He implored people to stop focusing on identifying where the cases were and continue to follow the social distancing and hygiene practices.
"My message to everyone is that you should be concerned regardless if it's Bultje Street here or Market Street in Mudgee. Regardless of whether there's confirmed case in your community or not, take the same precautions, take it seriously," he said.
"This is something that we'll solve as a region together. There's no doubt this will get worse before it gets better."
There's no doubt this will get worse before it gets better.
- Scott McLachlan
Mr McLachlan said no community was immune to the virus.
"We know a lot of people are being tested in our community and we're putting a lot of support around those people. We're first of all making sure that the care of people with confirmed cases is absolute priority. All of those cases are at home and doing well, and in recovery," he said.
"The people around them who have had contact with them, we've made contact with them. We've talked to them about the things they can do to keep themselves safe, but also about the things they can do to support people around them."
The chief executive acknowledged it was a scary time for people and their families.
Mr McLachlan said health services had been "scaled up" to deal with an increase in demand.
"Please, if you're concerned about your health go and see your GP, call Health Direct, and if it is really serious, please come to the local hospital," he said.
