Parkes sewage samples taken on August 16 have come back clear of COVID-19 virus fragments, but health district boss Scott McLachlan says it's not a time to relax.
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The pandemic virus showed up in two sewage tests last week, on Wednesday night it was announced a third sample had come back clear.
There has not yet been a case of COVID-19 detected in Parkes, however a further 25 cases were detected in the Western Local Health District on Wednesday, most of those in Dubbo.
"I don't think that a negative Parkes sewage test is a reason to be complacent at all," Mr McLachlan said.
"We know that people move in and out of communities ... I think it would be fair to assume that there has been someone with COVID in the community.
"That could be spreading around the community now so for me, I'd say this is the time to be very vigilant in Parkes and in surrounding communities.
"Come forward and get tested through our drive-through clinics or at the hospitals and health services in those communities."
Mr McLachlan apologised to those waiting longer than the anticipated three days for their COVID-19 test results.
"We know that people are waiting two, three, sometimes four days and sometimes more," he said.
"Can I again say I'm really sorry for that, it's not what we want.
"The number of pathology providers are doing their best to get those results back and again we do have that number 1300 066 055 if you need support in getting access to results after three days.
"I know there's been difficulties in accessing that line, we've got more staff coming on and we did take more calls."
All of regional NSW will remain in lockdown until August 28 in line with the rest of NSW.
