COVID-19 in Wagga and Riverina stays at a constant but health officials appeal for more testing

There continues to be 44 cases across the Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) area.

Chief executive of the MLHD, Jill Ludford applauded the community for taking up the social distancing order, but has appealed to the public to continue.

"We have actually seen a slowing of the transmission of the COVID virus," said Jill Ludford, chief executive of the MLHD.

"What [that] doesn't mean is that the COVID virus is controlled and gone away. It hasn't, it is still here and we cannot afford to be complacent."

The state having now relaxed restrictions on testing, Ms Ludford is asking anyone with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 to present for medical assessment.

Under the new state guidelines, potential patients need not have been in contact with a known COVID-19 positive case to be tested.

"If you have a cough, if you have a sore throat, a runny nose or a fever, you can come forward now and be tested for the coronavirus," she said.

"One of the early symptoms of COVID-19 is a cough, a dry cough and a sore throat. So if you have those symptoms, we really would love you to come forward."

Member for Wagga Dr Joe McGirr reiterated the calls to come forward in the hopes of identifying previously unknown transmission points.

"It doesn't matter if you've been overseas, it doesn't matter if you've had contact with someone with COVID, if you've got those symptoms, get tested," he said.

Dr McGirr implored the public to ring the COVID-19 hotline on 1800 831 009, if there are any concerns.

"If you've got those symptoms and it turns out you do have the COVID illness, then if you deteriorate later we can treat you properly," Dr McGirr said.

"If we don't know you've got it then you're putting your own life at stake and can I also say, of course you will be affecting the community."

In preparation for the oncoming winter, Dr McGirr requested that residents make an effort to get vaccinated against the 'flu as early as possible.

Ms Ludford also highlighted the need to not delay but to seek testing as soon as the symptoms develop.

"If we can test people early, we can trace their contacts. People are actually asymptomatic for about four days before they come down with symptoms. While they're asymptomatic, they're highly contagious," Ms Ludford said.

"It is important to say we cannot test asymptomatic people. We know that about 20 per cent of people are going to become severely ill, that possibly could be worse over the winter period, so we want to focus on identifying and testing people who are at risk."

Those with underlying lung or heart conditions, as well as those in elevated age categories, will become the focus of the MLHD's testing.

Mobile testing, and accelerated testing, will also soon become available to accommodate the influx of expected patients in the region.

Specialist COVID respiratory doctors will oversee the accelerated testing clinics in Wagga from the end of the week.

"We're asking you not to travel, so we're bringing the testing to you," Ms Ludford said.

"We will get a surge of very sick people coming to our region, and I just want to reassure everyone in the Murrumbidgee region that we will be ready."