30 August Far West Local Health District COVID-19 update

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The Far West Local Health District (FWLHD) reported nine cases of COVID-19 to 8pm last night, bringing the total cases in Far West LHD up to 8pm last night to 79.

Two of today’s new cases are in Broken Hill and seven are in Wilcannia. 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 is continuing.

FWLHD is calling on anyone who has been in Wilcannia in recent days to get tested regardless of whether or not they have symptoms.

Anyone in the community with COVID-19 who is isolating at home is reminded they can call for an ambulance if they are concerned or experience a deterioration in symptoms, including breathlessness and dizziness.

All Far West residents must limit their movements in the community at this time. Anyone in FWLHD who is currently experiencing, or has recently experienced, even mild cold-like symptoms is asked to come forward immediately for testing.

The public are advised of venues of concern associated with confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Anyone who attended any of the following venues listed on the specified dates and times (all CST) are casual contacts (unless they have been contacted by NSW Health as close contacts) and must get tested and isolate until a negative test result is received.

  • Pepes Milk Bar Broken Hill, 142 Patton Street on Sunday, 22 August 2021 – 11:55am to 12:55pm.
  • Coles Broken Hill on Sunday, 15 August – 10.25am to 10.50am; Friday, 20 August – 10.25am to 11.25am.
  • Ivanhoe Petrol Station on Monday, 16 August – 12.40pm to 12.55pm.
  • Woolworths Broken Hill on Thursday, 19 August – 11.30am to 1pm; Wednesday, 18 August – 2pm to 4pm; Saturday, 14 August – 11.35am to 11.50am.
  • Axel’s Pet Supplies, 229 Oxide Street on Friday, 20 August – 9.45am to 9.55am.
  • Broken Hill Gourmet Meat, Corner Gossan and Blende Streets on Friday, 20 August – 11.45am to 11.55am.
  • Good Price Pharmacy Warehouse, 4-5 Village Shopping Centre on Friday, 20 August – 9.30am to 9.40am.
  • Liquorland, Broken Hill on Friday, 20 August – 10.25am to 11.25am.
  • Wilcannia Roadhouse Grahams Motel on Saturday, 14 August – 9am to 9.10am.

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

The FWLHD has increased testing capacity in the District, including in Wilcannia and Broken Hill.

A COVID-19 testing clinic is operating at Wilcannia Oval (entry from Myer Street) from 9am to 4pm daily.

A pop-up COVID-19 testing clinic is operating at the Alma Oval in Broken Hill, from 8am to 4pm this week. The Alma Oval clinic can accommodate drive through tests.

A COVID-19 drive through testing clinic is operating at Memorial Oval in Broken Hill from 8am to 5pm, seven days a week. Everyone is asked to enter via Williams Street and exit via Warnock Street (left turn only).

FWLHD has standing COVID-19 plans and procedures in place, which are being continuously enhanced to ensure the safe isolation of positive COVID-19 cases in the far west region. Some individuals will need to be isolated in places other than their place of residence to ensure the safety of the person concerned and that of the community. FWLHD is working closely with intergovernmental agencies and partners to develop further capacity in Wilcannia and Broken Hill, as well as other locations across the District.

A COVID Community Response Team has been established to ensure the continual monitoring and evaluation of isolated patients to provide a safe and timely coordinated health and welfare response.

The FWLHD can also confirm, the Wilcannia Health Service has a transport ventilator available for staff to use for invasive ventilation support for an unwell COVID-19 positive patient. The clinical staff have the capability to actively and safely support the patient with this ventilator or use a BiPap breathing support unit, whilst the patient is being transported to Broken Hill or a larger hospital for advanced medical care.

A medical officer is also currently on site at Wilcannia Health Service to assist staff in responding to the health care needs of the community, particularly anyone presenting with COVID-19 and related illnesses.

There are more than 460 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW, many of which are open seven days a week.

To find your nearest clinic visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/how-to-protect-yourself-and-others/clinics or contact your GP.

Wentworth Shire Council Mayor Susan Nichols encourages community to vaccinate against COVID-19

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We can all play our part in reducing the spread of COVID-19 and help life return to normal, says Wentworth Shire Council Mayor Susan Nichols.

In response to the evolving COVID-19 outbreak NSW needs to reach 80% double vaccination rate to get back to enjoying the things we love.

“The people of Wentworth Shire are no strangers to rolling up their sleeves when a friend or a neighbour needs a hand,” Cr Nichols said.

“Now is the time for people to roll up their sleeves and get vaccinated against COVID-19, to help protect themselves, their loved ones and our communities and get life here in our Shire back to normal.”

Two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine will give you around 90% protection against hospitalisation and death, and significantly reduces the risk of spreading the virus to others.

Everyone 18+ can book a vaccination appointment. Vaccination bookings can be made through the Far West Local Health District on 1800 602 001 or Wentworth Pharmacy on 03 5027 3121.

Coomealla Health Aboriginal Corporation (CHAC) is also able to provide vaccinations to residents who meet eligibility criteria. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members aged 16-59 are eligible, as are non-Indigenous people age 40-59 and essential workers.

You can check your eligibility at www.health.gov.au or by calling CHAC’s Wentworth Clinic on 03 5002 9029 or their Dareton clinic on 03 5027 4824.

Children 12-15 years with an underlying medical condition, or who are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander are now eligible to get vaccinated.

16-18 year olds will be eligible to get vaccinated from 30 August.If you’ve already had your first AstraZeneca shot, the time you need to wait before getting your second shot has now also been shortened to 4 to 8 weeks.

Vaccination advice has been updated because of the increasing number of COVID-19 cases across the country.

The option for a 12 week wait between doses is still available.

For more information go to https://covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility?lang=en

Far West LHD COVID-19 update

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The Far West Local Health District (FWLHD) reported 6 cases of COVID-19 to 8pm 25 August, bringing the total cases in Far West LHD up to 56.

Five of the new cases are in Wilcannia and one case is in Broken Hill.

All of these cases are in isolation and are being contacted regularly by public health staff for health and welfare checks.

Follow up investigations and contact tracing is continuing.

Anyone in the community with COVID-19 who is isolating at home needs to call for an ambulance if they experience a deterioration in symptoms, including breathlessness and dizziness. Other symptoms are fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, loss of taste or smell, fatigue, acute blocked nose (congestion), muscle pain, joint pain, headache, diarrhoea, nausea/vomiting, loss of appetite, unexplained chest pain and conjunctivitis.

FWLHD is calling on anyone who has been in Wilcannia in recent days to get tested regardless of whether or not they have symptoms.

All Far West residents must limit their movements in the community at this time. Anyone in FWLHD who is currently experiencing, or has recently experienced, even mild cold-like symptoms is asked to come forward immediately for testing.

The public are advised of venues of concern associated with confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Anyone who attended any of the following venues listed on the specified dates and times (all CST) are casual contacts (unless they have been contacted by NSW Health as close contacts) and must get tested and isolate until a negative test result is received.

  • Coles Broken Hill on Sunday, 15 August – 10.25am to 10.50am; Friday, 20 August – 10.25am to 11.25am.
  • Ivanhoe Petrol Station on Monday, 16 August – 12.40pm to 12.55pm.
  • Woolworths Broken Hill on Thursday, 19 August – 11.30am to 1pm; Wednesday, 18 August – 2pm to 4pm; Saturday, 14 August – 11.35am to 11.50am.
  • Axel’s Pet Supplies, 229 Oxide Street on Friday, 20 August – 9.45am to 9.55am.
  • Broken Hill Gourmet Meat, Cnr Gossan and Blende Streets on Friday, 20 August – 11.45am to 11.55am.
  • Good Price Pharmacy Warehouse, 4-5 Village Shopping Centre on Friday, 20 August – 9.30am to 9.40am.
  • Liquorland, Broken Hill on Friday, 20 August – 10.25am to 11.25am.
  • Wilcannia Roadhouse Grahams Motel on Saturday, 14 August – 9am to 9.10am.

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

The FWLHD has increased testing capacity in the District, including in Wilcannia and Broken Hill.

A COVID-19 testing clinic is operating at Wilcannia Oval (entry from Myer Street) from 9am to 4pm daily.

A pop-up COVID-19 testing clinic is operating at the Alma Oval in Broken Hill, from 8am to 4pm this week. The Alma Oval clinic can accommodate drive through tests.

A COVID-19 drive through testing clinic is operating at Memorial Oval in Broken Hill from 8am to 5pm, seven days a week. Everyone is asked to enter via Williams Street and exit via Warnock Street (left turn only).

There are more than 460 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW, many of which are open seven days a week.


To find your nearest clinic visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/how-to-protect-yourself-and-others/clinics or contact your GP.

Environmental cleaning and disinfection principles for COVID-19

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environmental-cleaning-and-disinfection-principles-for-covid-19Download

Routine environmental cleaning

 Cleaning is an essential part of disinfection. Organic matter can inactivate many disinfectants. Cleaning reduces the soil load, allowing the disinfectant to work.

 Removal of germs such as the virus that causes COVID-19 requires thorough cleaning followed by disinfection.

 The length of time that SARS-COV-2 (the cause of COVID-19) survives on inanimate surfaces will vary depending on factors such as the amount of contaminated body fluid – such as respiratory droplets – present and environmental temperature and humidity. In general, coronaviruses are unlikely to survive for long once droplets produced by coughing or sneezing dry out.

It is good practice to routinely clean surfaces as follows:

 Clean frequently touched surfaces with detergent solution (see diagram below).

 Clean general surfaces and fittings when visibly soiled and immediately after any spillage.

Routine environmental cleaning requirements can be divided into two groups:

Information for cleaning staff

Social contact environments

Social contact environments include (but are not limited to), transport vehicles, shopping centres
and private businesses.

The risk of transmission of COVID-19 in the social and non-health care work settings can be
minimised through a good standard of general hygiene.

This includes:

• Promoting cough etiquette and respiratory hygiene.

• Routine cleaning of frequently touched hard surfaces with detergent/disinfectant
solution/wipe.

• Providing adequate alcohol-based hand rub for staff and consumers to use. Alcohol-based hand rub stations should be available, especially in areas where food is on display
and frequent touching of produce occurs.


• Training staff on use of alcohol-based hand rub.

• Consider signs to ask shoppers to only touch what they intend to purchase.

Vehicle air-conditioning should be set to fresh air

See attached document for the full principles.

Far West LHD 24 August COVID-19 update

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The Far West Local Health District (FWLHD) reported 15 cases of COVID-19 to 8pm last night, bringing the total cases in Far West LHD up to 8pm last night to 43.

Fourteen of today’s new cases are in Wilcannia and one case who was tested in Wilcannia but is currently located in Queensland, and is thus counted in the total LHD numbers.

All of these cases are in isolation and are being contacted regularly by public health staff for health and welfare checks.

Follow up investigations and contact tracing is continuing.

FWLHD is calling on anyone who has been in Wilcannia in recent days to get tested regardless of whether or not they have symptoms.

All Far West residents must limit their movements in the community at this time. Anyone in FWLHD who is currently experiencing, or has recently experienced, even mild cold-like symptoms is asked to come forward immediately for testing.

The public are advised of the venues of concern associated with confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Anyone who attended any of the following venues listed on the specified dates and times are casual contacts (unless they have been contacted by NSW Health as close contacts) and must get tested and isolate until a negative test result is received.

  • Ivanhoe Petrol Station, 26 Columbus Street on Monday, 16 August – 12.40pm to 12.55pm (CST)
  • Wilcannia Roadhouse Grahams Motel on Saturday 14 August – 9am to 9.10am (CST)
  • Woolworths Broken Hill on Saturday 14 August – 11.35am to 11.50am (CST); Wednesday 18 August – 2pm to 4pm (CST); Thursday 19 August – 11.30am to 1pm (CST)
  • Coles Broken Hill on Sunday 15 August – 10.25am to 10.50am (CST)

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

The FWLHD has increased testing capacity in the District, including in Wilcannia and Broken Hill.

A COVID-19 testing clinic is operating at Wilcannia Oval (entry from Myer Street) from 9am to 4pm daily.

A pop-up COVID-19 testing clinic is operating at the Alma Oval in Broken Hill, from 8am to 4pm this week. The Alma Oval clinic can accommodate drive through tests.

A COVID-19 drive through testing clinic is operating at Memorial Oval in Broken Hill from 8am to 5pm, seven days a week. Everyone is asked to enter via Williams Street and exit via Warnock Street (left turn only).

There are more than 460 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW, many of which are open seven days a week.


To find your nearest clinic visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/how-to-protect-yourself-and-others/clinics or contact your GP.

New mask guidelines for NSW

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Remember, in NSW facemasks are now mandatory indoors and outside. Facemasks are not required during strenuous exercise but must be carried at all times.

VIDEO: How to apply for a Victorian Border Permit for NSW residents

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Wentworth Local Government Area COVID-19 update

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There are currently no COVID-19 cases in the Wentworth Local Government Area.

Residents are urged to abide by the current public health order.

Everyone must stay at home unless they have a reasonable excuse to leave.

They also cannot have visitors in their home from outside their household, including family and friends.

People still can have one visitor at one time to fulfil carers’ responsibilities or provide care or assistance, or for compassionate reasons, including where two people are in a relationship but do not live together.

Anyone currently experiencing, or who has recently experienced, even mild cold-like symptoms is asked to come forward immediately for testing.

It is important that everyone continues to watch out for any signs that could indicate COVID-19 and to get tested if you have even the mildest of symptoms.

Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, loss of taste or smell.

Other reported symptoms include fatigue, acute blocked nose (congestion), muscle pain, joint pain, headache, diarrhoea, nausea/vomiting, loss of appetite, unexplained chest pain and conjunctivitis.

The Far West Local Health District will be running a series of Pop Up COVID testing clinics in the district which commenced on Sunday (15 August 2021) from 10am to 4pm, running daily until further notice.

The testing sites for the Wentworth LGA are:

• Dareton – George Gordon Oval

• Gol Gol – Gol Gol Football Oval, off Carramar Drive

• Wentworth – Wentworth Showgrounds

Further to the above a clinic will be set up at Namatjira Reserve commencing Wednesday 18 August 2021.

Everyone is asked to please obey the local traffic conditions around the clinics.

Visitor restrictions have been implemented at all FWLHD facilities.