With COVID-19 case numbers continuing to rise in Dubbo and Mudgee and case locations spreading across Western NSW, Federal Member for Calare Andrew Gee is urging residents to stick together, stay calm, and follow Stay At Home restrictions.
The total number of active cases in the Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) now sits above 60, and the figures will no doubt climb in the coming days.
Fragments of the COVID-19 virus have also been detected in sewerage systems in Parkes and Bourke.
“As hard as it is to go into lockdown again, I’d encourage our communities not to lose heart. We’ve been here before, we’ve come through, and we can do it again. No region in the country has had to deal with as many natural disasters and challenges as we have. We’ve had drought, floods, bushfires, a mouse plague and now another round of Covid lockdowns. We’ll get on top of this latest challenge too.
“Orange, Blayney and Cabonne showed during the last lockdown that if everyone does the right thing we can get out of them faster. So let’s stick together, look after each other and put this lockdown in the rear view mirror as soon as we can.”
“The state-wide New South Wales lockdown is scheduled to end at 12:01am on Sunday 22 August. Let’s all do our part and try to keep it to 7 days.
“Our thoughts are with our business owners and their staff who had to scramble on Saturday, as the state-wide lockdown announced by the NSW Government happened very suddenly, giving them very little time to get their affairs sorted and ducks in a row before restrictions took effect,” said Minister Gee. “It was also a confusing time for the elderly who were out on Saturday but not on social media, where the lockdown was announced.”
“I encourage residents to get tested for COVID-19 if you display any symptoms of the virus. Now, more than ever, it is better to be safe than sorry,” said Mr Gee.
The Stay At Home orders stipulate that primary and secondary schooling will be done from home, but schools will be open for the children of essential workers.
“Our thoughts are also with HSC students across the region, who are not only dealing with the pressure of final exams and assessments, but who must also adapt to changing learning environments. Our teachers must also be recognised for their perseverance and dedication to our region’s youth, despite such trying times,” said Mr Gee.
“If you haven’t already received your first dose of the vaccine, I urge you to make an appointment this week to get your first jab. There is plenty of AstraZeneca around. 43% of residents in the Central West have already rolled up their sleeves, and more than 20% are fully vaccinated. I’m part of that 20%, so I am fully covered. I encourage everyone who is eligible to book an appointment.
“Across Australia, almost 15 million vaccine doses have now been administered and we are now hitting well over 1 million doses administered each week.”
