There have been no new locally-acquired cases of COVID-19 recorded in NSW since Forbes and other Newell Highway communities were put on alert last Wednesday afternoon.
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Some 550 people have been tested for COVID-19 in Forbes since it was announced two travellers had stopped here on their way from Melbourne to the Sunshine Coast while potentially infectious with the pandemic virus.
Across the Western NSW Local Health District's impacted communities more than 1000 people fronted for testing on Thursday, most of those in Dubbo and Forbes.
In the NSW Health update released at 11am Monday, they announced they had recorded no new locally acquired cases of COVID-19 to 8pm Sunday.
NSW Health also said on Saturday samples taken from the sewerage system in Forbes at that time had not detected fragments of the virus that causes COVID-19.
It was Wednesday afternoon when we received news two people since diagnosed with COVID-19 had stopped in town on June 1 and 2.
A pop-up testing centre opened at Northparkes Oval on Thursday and Friday, and a drive-through clinic remains open at Parkes Hospital from 1pm to 3.30pm today.
The Health District also offered a COVID-19 vaccination clinic offering both Astra Zeneca and Pfizer vaccines to the respective eligible age groups in Forbes on Friday, and 230 people had their first vaccination dose.
The team will return to give the second dose to those who attended Friday.
Chief Executive of the Western NSW Local Health District, Scott McLachlan, said the huge community response to testing should be commended.
"We truly appreciate the community coming forward like this, and for their patience," he said.
"People coming forward to be tested when we have a risk like this is so important. It helps us detect any cases, and respond quickly.
"Along with the basic behaviours that have served us so well - hand hygiene, physical distancing, signing into shops and venues - testing is one of the most effective measures we have against COVID-19."
Anyone who resides in or has visited Forbes, Dubbo or the other areas visited should monitor for the onset of even the mildest of cold-like symptoms.
Symptoms associated with COVID-19 include fever, cough, breathing difficulties, sore throat, loss of smell or taste, runny nose, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and fatigue.
If symptoms appear, please seek COVID testing, and isolate until you receive a negative result.
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