Hundreds more people across the Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) have been officially diagnosed with COVID-19 as the state continues to grapple with the Omicron outbreak.
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On Tuesday 269 new cases of COVID were reported among residents of the MLHD, almost half of Monday's local tally of 500 cases and one death.
Positive rapid antigen test (RAT) results are not yet being registered in the daily tally.
Eleven people died with COVID across the state in the latest 24-hour reporting period, and the number of new infections is up by more than 5000 from the previous tally.
The 11 deaths follow two record days for the NSW COVID-19 death toll.
There are currently 315,785 active cases of the virus across the state, and 2186 people in hospital, including 170 patients in intensive care units and 51 requiring ventilation.
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As of yesterday there are currently 23 patients with COVID-19 being cared for in hospital in the MLHD. Four of these patients are in the ICU, and two are ventilated.
There are also 4,175 active cases of the virus across the District as of Monday, bringing the total number of cases since July 1 this year to 5,712.
Advice for testing, isolation, COVID infections
People who test positive for the virus with either a rapid antigen test (RAT) or PCR must self isolate at home for seven days from the date of test, and tell your contacts (household, social contacts, workplace or school) that you've tested positive.
The MLHD said people can leave isolation after seven days if they don't have a sore throat, runny nose, cough or shortness of breath.
"You do not need to have a negative test to exit isolation," an MLHD spokesperson confirmed.
"Your household contacts must also self-isolate for [seven] days and have a rapid antigen test as soon as possible and again on day [six]."
People with COVID who are over 65, pregnant or have a chronic condition requiring regular hospital visits or specialist follow-up's are encouraged to call their GP or the NSW Health COVID Home Support Line on 1800 960 933 if unwell to be linked with care.
"If you develop severe symptoms (particularly severe headaches or dizziness, difficulty breathing, chest pressure or pain), call Triple Zero (000) straight away and tell the ambulance staff that you have been diagnosed with COVID-19," the MLHD spokesperson said.
RATs do not need to be confirmed with a PCR test unless you are pregnant, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, work in a high risk setting, have an underlying health condition or you have been asked to do so by a registered medical practitioner.
COVID testing and vaccination
RAT result figures are expected to be counted by the state from later this week after upgrades are made to the Service NSW app.
Service NSW is currently developing a mechanism to allow people to upload their positive RAT results and link them to health advice and services.
NSW Health continues to urge anyone who is eligible to book in for a vaccine booster.
"People aged 18 years and over are eligible for a booster if they had their second dose at least four months ago," the department said.
"We urge people to get their booster dose as soon as they are eligible, to best protect themselves, their loved ones and the community from the ongoing transmission of COVID-19. We also strongly recommend that people aged 12 years and over who are severely immunocompromised have a third primary dose of vaccine from two months after their second dose."
Vaccination for children aged between 5 and 11 also began in NSW on Monday morning.
The federal government's online vaccine clinic finder can be used to locate a clinic and book a jab.
COVID testing sites are open in Wagga seven days a week at the MLHD's Murray Street clinic, between 8am and 4pm, and at the drive-through site at Wagga Showground between 7.30am and 12.30pm.
Laverty Pathology also operates a drive-through clinic in the Riverina Playhouse car park, off Cross and Tarcutta streets, between 8am and noon on weekdays.
Appointments are required for a COVID test at the GP-led respiratory clinic at Glenrock in Glenfield Park, where people can be tested between 9am and 5pm on weekdays.
The community is reminded to monitor for symptoms and if they occur, stay home and isolate until you can access a test.
For further testing locations across the region, 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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