Mask rules won't change as region records 37 new COVID-19 cases

There were 37 new cases in the Western NSW Local Health District in the 24 hours to 8pm on Saturday night.

It includes three in Dubbo, 10 in Orange, 10 in the Mid-Western local government area (including six in Mudgee and one in Gulgong), five in Bathurst, three in the Cabonne local government area, three in the Blayney local government area, one in Parkes, one in Walgett and one in Coonamble.

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Of the active cases in the health district, only one is currently in hospital.

There are 167 cases currently part of the Care in the Community program.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said on Sunday the state government was pushing for double vaccinations and booster shots across the state as the community needs to learn to live alongside the virus.

"If you're in close proximity to people inside with a big group of people, consider wearing a mask - a mask still helps to try and stop the spread," he said on Sunday morning.

"But we also have to live our lives in a normal way coming into 2022."

Meantime, Dominic Perrotett said the "new normal" was for case numbers to increase and indicated there would be no change to restrictions for NSW before Christmas.

Since the start of the pandemic there have been 2041 cases in the Western NSW Local Health District.

COVID-19 testing is available at the Dubbo Showground between 8am and 4pm most days.

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