There are three additional COVID-19 cases in Dubbo, bringing to total for Western NSW to six, and we're being told to brace for more.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
"I expect we will see additional cases in the next 24 hours and they could grow significantly. It's time for everyone to take the stay-at-home orders extremely seriously," Western NSW LHD chief executive Scott McLachlan said.
There are fears the virus is spreading among children, as well as the Aboriginal community, with an additional testing clinic established at Pioneer Park in West Dubbo.
A student from Orana Heights Public School has tested positive, prompting the closure of the school on Thursday and the Department of Education advising all staff and students to self-isolate and follow public health orders.
The student is connected to the first two confirmed cases, who had links to Dubbo West Public and Macquarie Anglican Grammar schools.
READ ALSO:
- Here's what Dubbo looked like on the first full day of lockdown
- Things to do: During lockdown in Dubbo and the north west LGAs
- Delta 'more infectious then chickenpox' but can't survive sewage treatment
- Rugby finals modified and draws declared in Group 11: Lockdown's impact on sport
- Pfizer vaccinations fast-tracked to Walgett
Those cases were an adult and a household contact understood to be a child.
Late yesterday, an Aboriginal man from Walgett tested positive. He had been in Dubbo in early August, where he inadvertently infected two others.
It's still unclear how the virus initially spread to Dubbo, and all patients are currently recovering at their homes.
"What we are seeing in these six cases that we've identified already is a significant number or those are children," Mr McLachlan said.
"We know that children are spreading COVID-19, they're picking it up and they are getting sick, now this is absolutely time for parents in Dubbo and right across the region to really think about, do you need to go out with your child, does your child need to go to school, and particularly if they've got a bit of a snotty nose, scratchy throat or any other signs and symptoms."
The testing clinics at both the Dubbo Showground drive-through, and the Manera Plaza on Myall Street were again inundated, following an impressive response to calls earlier in the week.
Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders said more than 2,800 people were tested across both clinics.
"We had over 2,800 tests done in Dubbo yesterday, which is amazing," Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders said.
"With that comes line ups...if you are looking at getting tested, think about how you need to plan for that. That means maybe taking some water and some food with you."
The Dubbo local government area remains under the stay-at-home orders until August 19. The order was extended to the local government areas of Narromine, Gilgandra, Bogan, Bourke, Brewarrina, Coonamble, Walgett and Warren.
The order is effective from August 5, meaning anyone who has been in these areas since that time should abide by the stay-at-home orders.
While contact tracers are working tirelessly in a bid to contain the virus, authorities continue to push for residents to get tested and observe lockdown rules.
The venues of concern are:
- Ashcrofts IGA, Tamworth Street. August 8, 12:35pm-12:55pm
- COVID safe clinic (Manera Plaza), 77 Myall Street. August 10, 7:45am-8:35am
- Don Crosby Veterinary Surgery, 327 Darling Street. August 7, 8:55am-9:45am
- Tim Koerstz Pharmacy, 98 Tamworth Street. August 9, 1pm-1:15pm
- The Harvest Cafe, 64 Palmer Street. August 7, 9:50am-10:10am.
"We continue to call for everyone with even the mildest of symptoms to come forward, and anyone with any concerns about where you may have been, there are venues of concern, that list will also probably continue to grow in coming days," Mr Saunders said.
"I really would ask everyone to observe the stay at home orders...it's a significant step that we all need to protect our communities, ourselves, and our families," Mr McLachlan said.
"We know that the Delta strain is rapidly spreading, it's incredibly infectious, and incredibly dangerous to people if we do get infected."
The region's hospitals and health services have been escalated to a red level response, which means visitor numbers are restricted, screening processes are increased and PPE is worn by health staff.
Palliative care patients and pregnant women will be allowed a visitor.
"That's to help us take care of all of our really vulnerable patients that are in our health services," Mr McLachlan said.
Our COVID-19 news articles relating to public health and safety are free for anyone to access. However, we depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support.