The Murrumbidgee Local Health District has tested an additional 257 people on Sunday for COVID-19 at Hillston and Lake Cargelligo after several shops were potentially exposed.
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Together with about 300 tests on Saturday, the total number of people tested over the weekend now stands at 557 as the health authority moves to prevent a Delta variant outbreak in Lachlan and Carrathool Local Government areas.
The mobile testing clinics have so far returned negative results and Sunday's test results are expected by Monday night.
The Murrumbidgee Local Health District (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.
Businesses in the area have already had to close and carry out a deep clean after being identified as potential exposure sites.
Around 170 residents have came forward for testing in Hillston and 387 in Lake Cargelligo in total for Saturday and Sunday.
MLHD COVID Health Operations Centre Coordinator Emma Field said the health authority had been reassured by the communities' level of concern and vigilance in coming forward to be tested over the weekend.
"Until now, we have managed to avoid cases in our district, and it's up to each and every member of our community to be accountable for the safety of one another," she said.
Ms Field said the person was unaware that they were COVID positive when they visited the businesses at Hillston and Lake Cargelligo on August 16.
"The woman from Lachlan LGA was not symptomatic during her visit to Hillston and Lake Cargelligo, and we are confident she came forward for testing as soon as she became symptomatic, has followed all the correct protocols and is now isolating outside of the Murrumbidgee Local Health District," she said.
From next week the MLHD will be testing sewage at West Wyalong for COVID-19 fragments, which can be used as an early waring sign that coronavirus is present in the community.
Sewage is already being tested at Wagga, Albury, Deniliquin, Moama, Gundagai and Griffith.
The MLHD Mobile COVID Testing Clinic will be visiting the following towns in the region this week:
- Monday 23 August 9.30 - 12.00 noon Adelong Community Health Centre
- Monday 23 August 1.30 - 3.00 pm Tumbarumba Health Service
- Tuesday 24 August 10.00 -11.30 am Boorowa Health Service
- Tuesday 24 August 1.00 - 3.00 pm Harden Health Service
- Wednesday 25 August 10.30 - 12.30 Jerilderie MPS
- Wednesday 25 August 2.00 - 4.00 pm Hay Health Service
- Thursday 26 August 10.00 - 12.00 noon Finley Health Service
- Thursday 26 August 12.30 - 2.30 pm Tocumwal MPS
- Friday 27 August 9.00 - 12.00 noon 10 Mile Creek Gardens, Holbrook
- Friday 27 August 2.00 - 3.30 pm Henty MPS
Anyone who feels unwell or has COVID symptoms should come forward immediately for testing.
MLHD's free and confidential testing clinics are based in Cootamundra, Deniliquin, Griffith, Hay, Leeton and Wagga. These clinics are available by appointment made through the COVID-19 Hotline on 1800 831 099 (available from 8.00 am - 5.00 pm).
MLHD has opened a new drive-through testing clinic in Wagga at the Equex Centre from 10.00 am - 6.00 pm daily.
This is a drive thru service only - people must remain in their vehicles.
Hours have been extended at other regional testing sites and further details are available at www.mlhd.health.nsw.gov.au
Testing is also available through Commonwealth funded GP-Led Respiratory Clinics in Griffith, Deniliquin, Gundagai, Tumut, Wagga and Young.
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