BREAKING NEWS - Western NSW communities urged to come forward for testing
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Residents in the Bathurst, Bourke, Parkes and Dubbo areas are urged to come forward for Covid-19 testing after virus fragments were detected in samples taken from sewage treatment plants this week.
There are no known cases of Covid-19 in Bourke, Parkes or Bathurst. There was 10 new cases of Covid-19 identified in WNSWLHD up to 8pm on Thursday 12 August. Eight are located in Dubbo and two in Walgett. There is 16 confirmed cases of Covid-19 being managed in the District.
Western NSW Local Health District Chief Executive Scott McLachlan said it is a continued reminder of the serious risk Covid-19 poses in the District.
“Virus fragments were detected in samples taken from the Dubbo, Bathurst and Parkes sewage treatment plants on Wednesday 11 August and from samples taken at Bourke on Tuesday 10 August,” Mr McLachlan said.
“That follows detections in samples taken from Bathurst and Dubbo from Monday 9 August.
“As it stands, the sewage detections are unable to be traced to individuals but with known cases of Covid-19 in the District already, we must increase our efforts and vigilance to ensure our communities’ safety.
“We have increased capacity at our drive-through testing site at Dubbo Showground, which is open from 8am to close, and at the COVID SAFE clinic at Manera Plaza, open from 8am to 4.30pm.
“We established an additional testing site at Pioneer Park in West Dubbo on Thursday. This is a walk-in clinic and will be open from 9am to 4pm.
“We have increased capacity at our drive-through testing site at Mount Panorama in Bathurst, which is open from 8am to 4pm.
“As a precaution, we are also establishing pop-up testing sites at Bourke and Parkes today (Friday 13 August)
“At Bourke testing will be available in the Multi-Purpose Service carpark from 2.30pm to 5pm today. It will be open from 10am to 3pm on Saturday and Sunday, then 2.30 to 5pm on Monday and Tuesday next week.
“Testing is also available at the Bourke Community Health Building from 9am to 12.15pm today and on Monday and Tuesday next week. Please call ahead on 6870 2600.
“Testing will be available at Parkes Showground today from 2pm to 5pm today, 10am to 3pm on Saturday and Sunday and 9am to 4pm next Monday and Tuesday.
“We have also extended our other drive-through testing sites at Walgett, Wellington, Narromine, Nyngan and Mudgee until next Tuesday.
“I urge anyone who is symptomatic to come forward for testing as a priority. Please ensure that you wear a mask while being tested, and then immediately isolate until you receive a negative result.
“I’d ask that everyone please be patient when coming forward for testing.”