Wagga residents have been urged to adhere to strict new social isolation measures, as the city records its first confirmed cases of the coronavirus.
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Health officials confirmed on Wednesday morning that there had now been 10 positive cases in the Murrumbidgee Local Health District, two of them in Wagga.
Member for Wagga, Joe McGirr, who is a former emergency department doctor and medical administrator, has pleaded with people not to exploit any flaws in the new restrictions.
"We'll get through this, but we need to be a team. Instead of looking for ways around the loopholes, look for ways through the rules," Dr McGirr said.
"Ask yourself 'how do I make this work'. We need a new normal here. We need to be in isolation, we need to have social distancing.
"I'm speaking as a local member, but I guess I'm speaking as well as a medical practitioner. We need to do our bit."
By 11am on Wednesday, there more than 1000 confirmed cases of coronavirus in NSW. Nationwide, the death toll stands at eight.
"If we don't start thinking differently about this, the numbers will start to increase and we are at risk then of a worse outcome," Dr McGirr said.
The Wagga MP praised the efforts of local health workers and officials in making preparations to deal with the coronavirus.
"I've been in regular contact with our health services and they are actively getting ready for the effect on our region and I've been very impressed with what's been described to me as the actions they are taking." Dr McGirr said.
"They will have the capacity to manage this."
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Dr McGirr also acknowledged the economic effect of the coronavirus and subsequent social isolation policies.
"The measures are having an impact on the local economy. There are people who have lost their jobs, businesses that are struggling," he said.
"We will come out the other side of this. We will succeed, but we have got a period of difficulty ahead."
He also said there was an ongoing impact on charities.
"It is important at this time that we actually support each other, that we look out for each other," Dr McGirr said.
"We need to do our bit. We need to do what we can to limit the impact of this virus on our community. It's time for us to act.
"Last night the Prime Minister announced a tightening of restrictions and I support those. Essentially, if you don't need to go out, if it's not essential, don't go out."