Hundreds of Harden residents have returned negative COVID test results after an essential worker who tested positive for the virus travelled through the town at the end of last week.
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The essential worker visited the Harden IGA, The Light Horse Hotel and South West Fuel between September 3 and 5 and the three sites were named venues of concern by the MLHD on Monday.
The MLHD deployed a mobile testing unit to the town this week and over 349 people received tests on Monday and Tuesday, all of which have returned negative.
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Testing continued on Wednesday, but MLHD COVID-19 coordinator Emma Field said she was happy with the community's response and the results of the tests so far.
"We have had a fairly high number of people come out for testing and that was in response to the large number of casual and close contacts that were identified from the exposure sites," Ms Field said.
"We have processed the many hundreds of tests and they have all returned negative so that is very pleasing for us to have that information."
The announcement comes as COVID-19 cases continue to rise in NSW, with 1480 new locally acquired cases identified on Tuesday.
Up to 234 tests were conducted in Harden on Monday followed by a further 114 on Tuesday. The high demand for tests saw the mobile testing unit sent back on Wednesday.
"We have gone back today and hopefully we will see the same result tomorrow," Ms Field said.
A reminder was issued that while casual contacts can return from isolation once they have returned a negative test result, those deemed close contacts must remain in isolation for 14 days regardless of the result of their test.
Hilltops Council mayor Brian Ingram said he was glad to hear about the negative test results and urged the community to continue to be vigilant.
"I encourage anyone with any symptoms, no matter how mild, to take this opportunity to be tested," Cr Ingram said.
"I thank everyone who is doing the right thing to keep themselves and the community safe."
All casual contacts are urged to continue to monitor for symptoms and immediately get tested and isolate if they develop.
The visiting person is an essential worker who undergoes regular routine testing. They are now isolating outside of the MLHD.
SMS messages will be sent to people who were at the venues at these times and checked in with a QR code.
The MLHD commended the venues on their cooperation and COVID-19 business safety plans which helped minimise the risk to customers and staff.
The Riverina is awaiting news on whether or not it will be let out of lockdown, after Deputy Premier John Barliaro touted it as a region potentially suitable to leave lockdown this weekend.
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