All three new cases are in Broken Hill. One is a household contact and two are linked to a known case.
All cases are in isolation and are being contacted regularly by NSW Health staff for health and welfare checks. Follow up investigations and contact tracing are continuing.
Three more cases recovered yesterday (one in Broken Hill and two in Wilcannia). The District's total number of recovered cases is 169 (one from Balranald, 42 from Broken Hill and 126 from Wilcannia).
The total number of active cases is now 85 (59 in Broken Hill and 26 in Wilcannia).
The District is calling on anyone to get tested if they have even the mildest symptoms. Anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms such as fever, sore throat, cough, headache, or shortness of breath is urged to immediately get tested. Even people with mild symptoms, such as fatigue, new muscle aches or pains, a change in taste or smell or a new runny nose should arrange testing as quickly as possible.
Find your nearest testing clinic: COVID-19 testing clinics | NSW Government.
Sewage surveillance testing has detected traces of the virus that causes COVID-19 in Dareton from a sample taken on 27 September 2021, and Balranald from a sample taken on 22 September 2021. FWLHD urges these communities to be vigilant and to come forward for testing regardless of symptoms.
FWLHD has introduced voluntary surveillance COVID-19 testing in Dareton as part of an effort to increase the region's testing rates. Under the new measures, anyone in Dareton who does not have symptoms, and has not been identified as a contact, may be tested but will not need to isolate while awaiting their COVID-19 test results. Anyone who has symptoms, or has been identified as a casual contact of someone with COVID-19, will still need to isolate until they receive a negative test result. Close and household contacts need to isolate for 14 days regardless of their test results.
COVID-19 testing in Dareton has increased significantly with 189 tests completed in the last four days. FWLHD would like to thank the Dareton community for coming forward and getting tested and would like to see these high testing rates continue.
Almost 300 people in Balranald who were administered their first dose of Pfizer vaccine in a joint operation by Far West Local Health District and the Australian Medical Assistance Team (AUSMAT) will have their second dose today.
The Far West LHD and AUSMAT are delivering the Pfizer second dose vaccination for those only who received their first dose of Pfizer on Thursday the 9 of September 2021 in Balranald.
Community members who qualify for this clinic and wish to receive their second Pfizer dose will need to attend the same venue where their first dose was given on the date specified below:
Balranald MPS at the old A&E building
Thursday, 30 September from 9-5pm
The drive-through clinic will be operating exactly the same as last time with the same traffic flow. Bookings are not required.
Balranald MPS Health Service Manager Michelle Straub, is hoping everyone eligible comes down to receive their second dose. 'We had a great turn out earlier in the month with 274 first doses administered in one day. We're really encouraging everyone eligible to come and get their second dose, especially as fragments of the virus have been detected in the sewage. Please do your part to keep yourself, your loved ones and community safe', she said.
If you are unable to attend the above dates or venues for your 2nd dose of COVID-19 vaccine, you will be required to make an appointment for 2nd dose by phoning +61 1800 602 001 or email FWLHD-CommunityVaccination@health.nsw.gov.au to register a booking.
FWLHD will still be running our regular vaccination clinics for those wanting to receive their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. More information about vaccination clinics can be found here: https://www.nsw.gov.au/COVID-19/health-and-wellbeing/COVID-19-vaccination-nsw/vaccination-clinics-regional-and-rural
A number of casual contact venues have been confirmed. Anyone who attended any of the following venues listed on the specified dates and times (all Broken Hill locations are in CST) is a casual contact (unless they have been contacted by NSW Health as a close contact) and must get tested and isolate until a negative test result is received.
Good Price Pharmacy Warehouse Broken Hill - 4-5 Broken Hill Village Shopping Centre, Corner South Road and Gossan Street
The Reject Shop Broken Hill - 37 Galena Street
Westside Plaza Broken Hill - 5 Galena Street
Discount Tyres Broken Hill - 3 Galena Street
Schinella's Friendly Grocer Broken Hill - 135 Argent Street
Australia Post Wilcannia LPO - 45 Reid Street
Freechoice Tobacconist Broken Hill - 125 Oxide Street
Charlotte's at the Grand Broken Hill - 317 Argent Street
McDonald's Broken Hill - Galena Street
Lawrence Industrial & Auto Supplies Broken Hill - 170 Argent Street
Monday 20 September, 12:25pm to 12:45pm
Monday 20 September, 11:55am to 12:10pm
Dominos Pizza Broken Hill - 143 Oxide Street
Blackwoods Broken Hill - 105 -107 Argent Street
Sunbeam Deli Broken Hill - 316 Brookfield Avenue
Monday 20 September, 8am to 8:05am
Wednesday 15 September, 7:05pm to 7:10pm
PetsTucker Broken Hill - 121 Gypsum Street
Cavpower Broken Hill - 1 Kanandah Road
Subway Broken Hill - 233-235 Argent Street
Sunday 19 September, 8am to 3pm
Friday 17 September, 8am to 11am
Woolworths Broken Hill - 7 Galena Street
Friday 17 September, 1:50pm to 3:05pm
Friday 17 September, 11:10am to 11:30am
Wednesday 15 September, 6:50pm to 7:10pm
Broken Hill GP Super Clinic - 235 Thomas Street
Shell Coles Express Broken Hill - 164 Williams Street
Monday 20 September, 5:35pm to 5:40pm
Sunday 19 September, 4:30pm to 4:45pm
Saturday 18 September, 10:55pm to 11:15pm
Red Robin Deli Broken Hill - 88 Gypsum Street
Service NSW Broken Hill - 115 Bagot Street
Australia Post Broken Hill - 260 Argent Street
Friday 17 September, 10:55am to 11:10am
Friday 10 September, 6:10pm to 6:30pm
Friday 10 September, 4pm to 4:20pm
Coles Broken Hill - 7 Gossan Street
Wednesday 22 September, 10:40am to 11:10am
Tuesday 21 September, 1:25pm to 1:50pm
Tuesday 14 September, 4:50pm to 5:30pm
Sunday 12 September, 6:25pm to 7:15pm
Friday 10 September, 11:30am to 12:30pm
For a full list of locations, including close and casual contact venues, public transport routes or changes to previously reported venues, visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/COVID-19/nsw-COVID-19-case-locations
Anyone in the community with COVID-19 who is isolating at home is reminded they should call the public health unit on +61 1300 066 055 if they have any health concerns. Please call triple zero (000) in an emergency, including a deterioration in symptoms.
Far West Local Health District continues to urge eligible people to come forward for vaccination (providing they are not cases, contacts of cases, are not isolating, and do not have symptoms). Those aged 12 years and above are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccination. People can make bookings via the Commonwealth Government's Vaccine Clinic Finder.
