Coronavirus cases steady in Wagga, Murrumbidgee, data shows

No new cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in the Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) since Saturday, April 11, when new patient emerged in Albury.

Wagga has remained steady at 10 cases since the last one was diagnosed and announced on April 3.

Of the 44 cases diagnosed across the Murrumbidgee Local Health District since the pandemic began, 31 have officially recovered. There are no current hospitalisations, the health authority confirmed.

There are still 12 active cases of COVID-19 in the health district: three in the Federation Shire around Corowa, two each in Albury, Berrigan and Wagga, and one Narrandera.

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That the region is holding steady in the face of the pandemic is a positive sign, however the MLHD said on Wednesday there is no room for complacency.

"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."

Wagga has become home to the first regional NSW respiratory clinic as part of the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the new clinic opening its doors on Wednesday.

Patients showing signs of a fever, cough, sore throat and other respiratory symptoms can be screened free of charge at the clinic at Glenrock Country Practice.

The opening will keep people with respiratory symptoms out of the emergency department of Wagga Base Hospital, Riverina MP and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said, easing the strain that is expected from the approaching flu season.

People with mild to moderate respiratory symptoms can make an appointment at the clinic online via health.gov.au.

However, people presenting with severe symptoms have been advised to call triple-zero or attend their nearest hospital emergency department.

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