NEW South Wales Health is establishing Community Support Accommodation (CSA) in Wentworth to assist the close contacts of people with COVID-19 to isolate safely and effectively if they cannot do so at home.
The accommodation will consist of a community of motorhomes established at the council-owned Wentworth Showgrounds, with associated infrastructure to support it.
Up to 10 motorhomes and supporting infrastructure will be redeployed from Wilcannia to establish the Wentworth accommodation.
The facility is expected to be operational from Monday and aims to provide a comfortable and appropriate environment for Wentworth Shire residents to safely isolate in line with public health orders.
It is modelled on the implementation of accommodation at Wilcannia to support that community during the pandemic.
Up to 10 motorhomes will be redeployed to establish the Wentworth CSA.
Each motorhome has living and bedroom accommodation, kitchen, toilet, a shower, radio and television, along with heating and cooling, and is insulated to cater for variable weather conditions.
People using the accommodation will be supported with food and linen.
The Wentworth CSA is being implemented in consultation with Health Infrastructure NSW, Far West Local Health District, Wentworth Shire Council, the Local Emergency Management Committee – which includes representatives of the Aboriginal community – and the Rural Fire Service.
Throughout the pandemic the NSW Government has provided temporary accommodation options for people, including staff and community members, who needed to self-isolate away from home to help protect their loved ones and reduce the risk of transmission of the virus.
The establishment of the Wentworth CSA will leave 20 motorhomes remaining in Wilcannia.
The partial drawdown of resources in Wilcannia CSA supports NSW Health plans to support other communities in the Far West as required.
Wilcannia has recorded 152 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began, but only two remain active.
On Sunday there were 12 active cases in the Dareton township following seven confirmed cases over the weekend.
New cases forced the closure of the Coomealla High School as well as Dareton and Buronga Public Schools last week.
Ranfurly Primary School also shut its doors after a member of that school community tested positive for COVID-19.
It is understood the schools were deep cleaned over the weekend with at least Coomealla High School scheduled to reopen on Monday.
