Photo caption: Federal Member for Parkes, pictured in Bourke recently, encourages people in the Parkes electorate to stay home, get tested and follow the latest health advice.
Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton is urging the people of the Parkes electorate to stay home, get tested and follow all the latest health advice in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19 in Western NSW.
There are currently 25 positive cases of COVID-19 throughout the Western NSW Local Health District, with a total of 22 cases in Dubbo and three cases in Walgett.
“These numbers are very concerning, particularly the cases in Walgett which has a high Indigenous population and people with comorbidities,” Mr Coulton said.
“With COVID-19 present in our region, now is not the time for complacency. We can’t afford to let this virus spread further in our vulnerable communities.
“While I have great faith in all of our wonderful healthcare workers, our health system won’t be able to cope with an influx of people needing to be ventilated or put into intensive care.
“So please, stay home this weekend and over the next week. The more we limit our movement, the less chance this virus has of spreading.”
In response to the current outbreak in Western NSW, the Federal Government is providing an additional 7,680 Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine doses immediately for use in the eight affected local government areas, including Bogan Shire, Bourke Shire, Brewarrina Shire, Coonamble Shire, Gilgandra Shire, Narromine Shire, Walgett Shire and Warren Shire.
The delivery includes 4,800 vaccines for use across general practices and Commonwealth Vaccination Clinics and 2,880 for use in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services. This includes activating three additional general practices and an additional Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service in Bourke.
“I’m pleased the Federal Government has been able to secure these vaccines for our region so that we can get as many people vaccinated as possible,” Mr Coulton said.
“I encourage people to take advantage of these additional vaccines to protect yourselves, your family members and your community. Vaccination is our best chance of fighting this virus.”
Mr Coulton also encourages people to come forward for testing, with additional testing clinics across the local government areas that are currently under stay at home orders, including Dubbo, Walgett, Bogan, Bourke, Brewarrina, Coonamble, Gilgandra, Narromine and Warren.
There is a particular push for members of the Bourke community to present for testing after virus fragments were detected in sewage samples taken from Bourke on Tuesday 10 August.
“Widespread community testing is essential at this time, so I urge people with even the mildest of symptoms to come forward for testing,” Mr Coulton said.
“With high demand for testing at the moment, substantial waits at all sites are expected, so I’d like to remind people to be patient, and remain calm and respectful to staff at the testing sites.
“I know this is a difficult time, but if we all do our bit in protecting our communities – by staying home, getting tested and vaccinated – I’m confident we can get through this.”
Visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19 for the latest information on case numbers and locations, testing facilities, vaccination clinics, stay at home orders and exposure sites.
