ANOTHER 15 COVID-19 cases in Wilcannia will be included in Tuesday’s figures, NSW deputy premier John Barilaro announced on Monday.
The additional cases are in addition to the 24 in Wilcannia and four in Broken Hill that were reported up until 8pm Sunday, taking the outbreak in NSW’s far west to a total of 43 cases.
There were still no active cases in the Wentworth or Balranald shires, with two previously listed cases relisted to Wilcannia, where they have been since being infected with the virus.
Far West Local Health District (FWLHD) authorities were bracing on Monday for a potential surge in cases, amid speculation a backlog of test swabs from Wilcannia were not transported to Broken Hill for analysis over the weekend.
Results from big testing days late last week are also expected to come through in the coming hours.
FWLHD chief executive Umit Agis told media on Monday that although “all cases are in isolation” he expected case numbers to keep rising.
“We are expecting there will be more positive cases announced out at Wilcannia,” he said.
Mr Agis said there would be more boots on the ground in the town this week to help the Wilcannia community through the outbreak, with five Australian Defence Force personnel and five extra police.
“We have been advised that the army will be in Wilcannia from today to assist police with welfare checks, delivering food supplies, and supporting the community,” he said.
“Tomorrow we’re expecting in excess of 10 AUSMAT (Australian Medical Assistance Teams) personnel, and that will be nurses, doctors and also pharmacists as well. They’ll work in concert with our nurses and in conjunction with RFDS (Royal Flying Doctor Service).”
The extra help would be put to work trying to get more people in the community of more than 700 people vaccinated, Mr Agis said.
“Last count I had was about 200 had their first dose and about half that number is second dosed,” he said.
“Our aim is to go in with a large team and go door to door … to get everybody to at least have their first dose by the end of this week.”
Mr Agis again urged community members in the far west to get tested and do their bit to help keep the growing outbreak under control.
“The only way we’re going to be able to determine if there are more positive cases in the community is through testing,” he said.
Testing clinics are open from 10am-4pm daily at:
- Dareton – George Gordon Oval
- Gol Gol – Gol Gol Football Oval, off Carramar Drive
- Wentworth – Wentworth Show Grounds
- Balranald – Greenham Park Hall
- Menindee – Menindee Oval, entry through Perry Street
- Wilcannia – Wilcannia Oval
