They are being asked questions about where they have been and who they have been with.

During self-isolation they are encouraged to watch out for new symptoms and inform the clinical team monitoring them if further treatment is required.

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In particular, they must be alert to fever, night sweats and chills, a runny or blocked nose, change in taste or smell, sore throat, cough and shortness of breath.

In an emergency, they are being told to call an ambulance and also prewarn paramedics of their COVID-19 status.

The Western NSW Local Health District has passed on a NSW Health fact sheet for confirmed COVID cases to the Daily Liberal.

On Thursday morning the total number of confirmed cases at Dubbo had reached 319.

Testing for the coronavirus is being conducted at Dubbo Showground, Manera Plaza and Pioneer Park.

Residents who test positive must abide by self-isolation rules or face heavy fines and even jail.

For individuals, the maximum penalty is $11,000, six months in jail or both.

A further $5500 fine can be imposed for each day the "offence continues".

Confirmed cases must self-isolate at a designated isolation facility or when permitted at their homes, until cleared by an authorised medical officer.

Dubbo's Taronga Western Plains Zoo has answered a call from NSW Health and made its self-contained cabins available for "vulnerable families who are not able to safely isolate".

NSW Health is managing the cabins and their occupants with police and security guards on hand.

Confirmed cases who are given permission to stay in their homes are advised to observe numerous safety measures aimed at protecting the people they live with.

They include staying and sleeping in a separate room; using a separate bathroom; not sharing household items such as dishes, cups, towels and bedding; avoiding shared areas and using a mask when moving through them.

Patients are advised to clean surfaces they touch once a day such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards and tablets. They should wear disposable gloves and apply a household disinfectant or diluted bleach solution.

NSW Health suggests patient and family anxiety can be eased by reading accurate and up-to-date information on its website.

The fact sheet includes contact details for people seeking financial and mental health support including the Beyond Blue Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service on 1800 512 348 and the Kids Helpline on 1800 551800.

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