Two staff members at the pathology unit at Dubbo Hospital were identified as close or casual contacts, resulting in a number of others requiring COVID tests and a warning from the health authority that there could be increased waiting times for test results.
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The laboratory remains open with limited staff while some samples are sent to other hospitals including Westmead.
"We've been able to keep the lab open and operating in Dubbo albeit with a smaller staff contingent," Western NSW Local Health District chief executive Scott McLachlan said. "They will still be processing some samples here in Dubbo they've also got access to some rapid testing equipment that'll see those fast-tracked.
"It will mean some samples being taken away either to Orange or to Westmead, and we've put on additional courier services and tried to fast-track that as quickly as possible.
"There may be some extra wait times with those and I do apologise. Unfortunately these things will happen from time to time with our pathology services."
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Mr McLachlan said the vast majority returned to work on Wednesday and more were back Thursday.
The testing numbers across the region remain strong, with 10,000 people swabbed on Tuesday and almost half of those in Dubbo. Wellington saw 230 people tested.
More Pfizer doses have arrived this week, with another delivery expected on Thursday.
Sixty-seven per cent of all confirmed cases are Aboriginal people, with 40 per cent aged 10-19 years-old, and none over 70 years-old.
The number of active COVID cases in Dubbo climbed to 128 up to 8pm on Tuesday and 142 total for the Western region. There were 21 new cases in Dubbo, one additional in Mudgee and one in Bourke.
Five adults are in Dubbo Hospital, none in the Intensive Care Unit.
The region currently has 81 venues of concern, 65 of those are in Dubbo. The growing list is updated on the NSW Health website.
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