Western NSW Local Health District chief Scott McLachlan is expecting COVID-19 case numbers across the region to peak next week.
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Mr McLachlan comments come after NSW Premier Gladys Berikijklian admitted, according to their data, she expects case numbers across the state to peak next week as well.
"We will still see growing case numbers both in the number of households with someone infected with COVID-19," he said.
"The vast majority of those people will get COVID-19 so we are seeing the impact of that.
"We saw today seven people [who tested positive] were infectious in the community.
"We know there is going to be continual spread while ever people are infectious in our communities.
"The risk of broader community spread is present every day."
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NSW recorded 1542 daily cases to 8pm on Thursday with 28 of those in the Western region. Eighteen of the cases were in Dubbo while the Mid-Western region recorded six cases, including one in Gulgong.
Mr McLachlan believes the current trends will continue for weeks to come.
"Case numbers will continue, I expect to the same level," he said.
"Somewhere between 30-40 per day for the next two weeks.
"What we are seeing though is people recovering from COVID-19 every day of the week.
"Hundreds of people have come out of their isolation and are feeling better after their COVID-19 journey."
Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders said community sporting competitions will be able to continue or start once the state's population reaches 80 per cent of full vaccinations.
The Higher Schooling Certificate dates have also been confirmed with exams being pushed back, to now start on November 9.
Mr Saunders said the plan for the exams is to have written tests as always.
"The education minister Sarah Mitchell has been really closely monitoring what individual schools need in the way they need support.
"We've got public, independent and catholic schools which is such a vast range of different schools across the state and our region.
"Everyone has to come together at one point and that is around the HSC.
"If there are any particular concerns from schools or individuals, the department and the ministers office are there to try and help.
"But in simple terms, the best effort had to be made to make sure the HSC goes ahead," Mr Saunders said on Friday.
Traditionally, the HSC starts in October but was pushed back due to the lockdown around the state. The delay also means students will not receive their results until 2022.
Students will receive their ATARs on January 20 next year while results will be release four days later.
As always, English will be the first HSC exam with students to receive personalised timetables with times and dates for their examinations.
The HSC will end on December 3.
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