33 new COVID-19 cases reported in MLHD, including three in Wagga

To 8pm on Friday the MLHD recorded 33 new cases of COVID, including 24 in the Albury LGA.

Three cases are residents of the Murray River LGA, three from Wagga, one from Berrigan, one from Federation and one from the Greater Hume Shire.

The MLHD recorded the second-highest number of new COVID cases today, following the Hunter New England LHD with 73 new cases.

Fragments of the virus have also recently been detected in Wagga and Leeton sewage, with the MLHD advising people in these areas to monitor for symptoms and get tested if they have even the mildest of symptoms.

Today's new cases brings the MLHD's total to 546 cases of COVID-19 during the current outbreak, as well as three deaths.

The large majority of these cases have been reported in the Albury LGA with 429 total cases. There has also been 25 cases in the Hilltops LGA, 25 in the Greater Hume Shire, 15 in Edward River, 16 in Murray River, ten in Federation, ten in Berrigan, ten in Wagga, two in Coolamon, two in the Murrumbidgee LGA, one in Cootamundra-Gundagai and one in Griffith.

The MLHD is urging residents from across the district to come forward for vaccination as cases continue to rise.

"Vaccination is proven to prevent serious illness of COVID-19 and lower the risk of transmission," an MLHD spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said it is particularly important for those aged 12 to 29 to come forward for vaccination, making up a large number of the recent cases in the Albury LGA.

"The MLHD [is working] with the NSW Department of Education to manage COVID-19 in the Albury LGA," the spokesperson added.

IN OTHER NEWS:

Walk in Pfizer clinics will be available in the Edward River region next week, at the following locations:

The MLHD is continuing to urge anyone with even the mildest of cold-like symptoms to come forward immediately for testing.

"If you have any symptoms it is important that you isolate until you can be tested and also after your test, until you get a negative result," an MLHD spokesperson said.

"Due to a high demand for testing, NSW Health is encouraging those who has no symptoms and have not been instructed to get a COVID-19 test, to avoid doing so."

For testing locations across the District go to www.mlhd.health.nsw.gov.au, or for help accessing a test call the Murrumbidgee COVID-19 Hotline 1800 831 099.

More on the pandemic:

Across New South Wales, 236 new local cases of the virus were reported on Saturday as well as three deaths.

One overseas traveller also tested positive, and more than 77,000 tests were conducted to 8pm on Friday.

There are currently 343 people in NSW hospitalised with COVID, 81 of which require intensive care.

Vaccination rates are continuing to grow across the state as NSW prepares to reopen even further on Monday, with regional travel reopening to Sydneysiders.

93.5 per cent of those aged over 16 have had at least one dose of a COVID vaccine, and 87 per cent are fully vaccinated.

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