Western NSW Local Health District appeals for people to remain vigilant even now lockdown has been lifted.
The Central West NSW COVID-19 lock-down has been lifted. Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) congratulates communities in the Cabonne, Orange and Blayney council areas for their vigilance during the snap seven-day lockdown that was issued on Wednesday, July 21.
The stay-at-home lockdown order was lifted at 12.01am yesterday, as scheduled. WNSWLHD Chief Executive Scott McLachlan expressed surprise that the Delta COVID in the region variant hadn’t spread, as it is known to, with statewide figures representing this.
More than 11,500 COVID tests were completed in the Orange, Blayney and Cabonne LGAs over the last week. Including Bathurst, Dubbo, Parkes and Forbes, almost 15,000 had taken place.
Mr McLachlan commended the “the country-type, pragmatic approach to lock-down and genuinely staying at home.” He warned that it is not a time to get complacent.
He urges residents to get tested if they show any signs of fever or flu. “We’ve been really encouraged to see the Canowindra community come out and get tested,” he said.
“At all times, and certainly when there’s been a case recorded locally, widespread testing gives us the best chance possible to see if there has been any spread of Covid-19 in the community.”
Lockdowns and testing works, he summarised. “It’s a key measure in determining any threat to our local communities and, in the situation where parts of our district have tighter restrictions imposed, is crucial to informing decisions about when it might be safe to lift those.”
We now revert back to mask-wearing indoors including at work, checking in with a QR code or similar, sanitising, limiting visitors to your home and following the one person per four square metres rule.
He recommends vaccination against COVID-19, as the disease could creep around our area at any time, saying both Pfizer and AstraZeneca are good solutions.