Another five cases of Covid-19 have been detected in Parkes overnight, bringing the total active cases in our community to six.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
They are contacts of the first case that was identified, Western NSW Local Health District chief Executive Scott McLachlan said.
"We know that some of those people have been infectious while in the community, so a particular call out to the people in Parkes, please come out and get tested," he said.
Parkes Mayor Ken Keith on Sunday night, after the first positive result, said this was a time for our community to be kind and look out for one another.
"We have suspected for over a week now that there is someone with Covid-19 in our community, due to fragments of the virus being detected in our sewerage," he said.
"This is not a time for blame or social media witch hunts - this is a time for us to pull together as a community.
"If you are worried at all, please get tested!"
Testing numbers had dipped below 80 per day over the weekend, but a queue was forming an hour before the Showground testing site opened on Monday morning after exposure sites had been revealed.
"NSW Health have advised that the drive through COVID-19 testing clinic located at the Parkes Showground will continue through until Friday 27 August 2021, however, we really need to get our testing rates up - if you have any symptoms or have been to any of the areas of concern, please get tested and take your family with you.
"Lastly this is a time to pull together as a community - please pick up the phone and check on elderly neighbours, thank our essential workers and be patient and kind to one another. Please also look after your mental health."
Cr Keith also urged everyone eligible to get vaccinated with a walk-in clinic commencing in Parkes on Tuesday.
The Western Local Health District now has 13 people - of 283 cases - in hospital, five of those in intensive care and one ventilated.
"That's a growing number and a worrying impact for us," Mr McLachlan said.
"This is the thing we don't want to see happen, people getting really crook and ending up in hospital.
"This is the thing that should be front of mind for us: get in front of Covid, help us find out where it is and - importantly - get vaccinated."
