MLHD tests hundreds for COVID-19 Hillston and Lake Cargelligo to contain potential Delta outbreak

The MLHD saw its first potential case linked to the Delta variant outbreak over the weekend after a female resident of Lachlan Shire visited locations in Lake Cargelligo and Hillston while infectious on Monday, August 16.

An MLHD spokesperson said 200 people were tested yesterday at Lake Cargelligo and 100 at Hillston and testing would continue on Sunday.

Businesses in the area have already had to close and carry out a deep clean after being identified as potential exposure sites.

Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network (MPHN) COVID-19 coordinator Alison Koschel said it was encouraging to see so many people turn out for testing.

"The MLHD stood up very quickly and got a testing van out to Hillston and Lake Cargelligo over the weekend and they tested all day yesterday and will continue to test all day today," Dr Koschel said.

"There's also additional testing that's happening through the GP respiratory clinic in Griffith, they've opened today to do some testing and likewise in Deniliquin, given they are in close proximity to Shepparton.

"We certainly encourage anyone who has been in the areas of concern or who has the slightest symptoms to get themselves along and be tested; the sooner people are tested, the sooner we can plan for the response we need."

Dr Koschel said efforts to contain a potential outbreak appeared to be going well.

"I think we have reacted very swiftly and the MLHD has reacted very swiftly and we are targeting the areas of greatest concern to us while keeping everything else moving along as well."

West Wyalong will also be added to the site where sewage is being tested for COVID-19 fragments.

"Sewage testing is anther way to see where we should put our resources and where we should have concerns," Dr Koschel said.

NSW set another record in the 24 hours to 8pm Saturday with 830 new COVID-19 cases.

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the state's rate of vaccination had one of "fastest in the world" and was on track to meet a major milestone in the next few weeks and create the possibility of easing lockdowns.

I'm confident as we move forward, together to 80 per cent [fully vaccinated], we will have a lot more normality in our lives and we are only weeks away now so if our community keeps getting their vaccines the way they are, NSW will look pretty good by October, November," he said.

According to NSW Health, Wagga's 2650 postcode has seen about 9000 vaccine doses administered in the two weeks to August 19, taking the rate of fully vaccinated to between 30 and 39 per cent of residents and up to 59 per cent having one dose.

Wagga mayor Greg Conkey said the results were "extremely encouraging".

"We still have a way to go...I have a feeling that, like the NSW Premier said, that COVID-19 will not be eliminated and it will become like the flu in that we will have yearly injections," Cr Conkey said.

Dr Koschel said it was vital for the more vulnerable sections of society to get their COVID-19 vaccinations.

"We'd be strongly encouraging our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, as well as our culturally and linguistically diverse populations to make sure they have a booking and come and get their first dose of vaccine," she said.

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