Dozens of new COVID-19 cases have been detected across the Riverina and more communities are to be on alert after positive samples in sewage surveillance.
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Testing across the Murrumbidgee Local Health District [MLHD] resulted in 36 confirmed cases in the 24 hours to 8pm on Wednesday.
They are spread across the region, with the Albury local government area [LGA] continuing to bear the brunt of outbreak with 31 cases.
Greater Hume recorded two cases, as did Griffith, while a single case has emerged in the Lockhart LGA.
It comes as a Wagga church has been declared an exposure site, the first to be listed in the city by NSW Health in weeks. There were no new cases announced for the city on Thursday morning.
In other news
Anyone who was at the Inspire Church on Kooringal Road on Sunday, between 10.45am and 12.30pm, must seek out a COVID test immediately, NSW Health said.
The Lockhart IGA supermarket has been cleaned in the wake of a positive case checking in at the shop.
"A number of staff and customers have received notifications today of a COVID case alert at Lockhart IGA on Sunday and we also have just been advised on email by NSW Health," the store announced on Thursday.
"The notification as well as our email states that all staff that were working that day and all customers that attended the store that day should monitor for symptoms.
"We have thoroughly cleaned every area of the store and staff amenities this morning.
"Lockhart IGA is vigilant with our standards of cleaning and hygiene, reporting and monitoring, we are confident that we have all the procedures in place to ensure safety to our staff and customers."
Sewage surveillance testing has returned positive results for fragments of the virus in five treatment plants across the region.
Fresh detections are confirmed for Wagga's Narrung Street plant, as well as in Albury, Leeton, West Wyalong, Holbrook and Griffith.
Meanwhile, two COVID-positive inmates have been transferred out of Junee's correctional centre after receiving their results while in quarantine.
Both inmates were received from Albury Local Courts last week, a spokesperson for The GEO Group Australia confirmed, and were transferred to Silverwater.
The interstate, trans-Tasman situation
There has now been 670 cases and six deaths in the MLHD since the start of the current outbreak.
Albury has recorded 518, Hilltops has had 25, and with 32 cases Greater Hume has passed Edward River's 15 and is closing in on Murray River's 33.
There has been 14 cases in Wagga, 12 in Berrigan, four in Grififth, two each in Coolamon and Murrumbidgee, and one in Lockhart.
As of Monday 87.1 per cent of Riverina residents over the age of 15 have been fully vaccinated against COVID, while more than 95 per cent have had their first dose.
Even with the high vaccination rate, anyone who experiences even the mildest symptoms are urged to come forward for a COVID test.
More on the pandemic
Additional testing is available in Albury, Leeton, Griffith and West Wyalong in the wake of the new detections.
People in Leeton can be tested at the hospital in Myall Street between 9am and 11am on weekdays, by dropping in or calling the MLHD hotline on 1800 831 099.
The MLHD's testing clinic in Griffith is open at 50-52 Yambil Street, next to Axi Kem, between 9.30am and 1.30pm daily.
Tests can be carried out at West Wyalong's hospital between 8am and 10am on weekdays.
Those seeking a test in Albury can head to Westside Community Centre until 2pm on Thursday, or the Albury Entertainment Centre in Swift Street between 10am and 4pm from Friday through Monday.
Common symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose and loss of taste or smell.
Other symptoms include fatigue, acute blocked nose (congestion), muscle pain, joint pain, headache, diarrhoea, nausea/vomiting, loss of appetite, unexplained chest pain and conjunctivitis.
For further 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.
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