Tamworth COVID-19 pandemic: seven months since local case confirmed in New England North West

The region will mark the milestone on Tuesday, November 17.

Despite months of being clear of confirmed COVID-19 cases, residents are still showing up for screening.

More than 870 people were tested at Tamworth clinics in the first two weeks of this month.

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But, the number means that so far, November testing rates are tracking lower than in previous months.

In August, there were more than 4,300 people swabbed. In September, that was down to about 2,850.

Hunter New England Health (HNEH) has been keeping a close eye on the wastewater in Tamworth, Armidale and Moree.

Sewage testing has been extended indefinitely in those three towns, with no COVID-19 particles detected to date.

HNEH confirmed no other New England North West towns have been added to the list at this point.

In the last seven months, Tamworth has made it through a tourism influx, school holiday crowds, and an NRL game.

The last local to test positive for the deadly virus was a 58-year-old woman, who returned a result on April 17.

She had tragically died a day earlier, as a result of the infection, at Tamworth hospital.

Health authorities are still urging locals to isolate immediately and get tested if they have any cold or flu symptoms.

Testing options in Tamworth include:

A drive-through screening clinic being run by Laverty Pathology, which operates six days per week at the Plain Street fields and no doctor referral is required.

The Tamworth Respiratory Clinic can keep its doors open for coronavirus testing after its funding was extended to at least March next year.

Or, contact your regular GP.

NSW recorded no new locally acquired cases of the infection in the latest update on Monday, for the ninth day straight.

NSW authorities have decided to keep travel open with South Australia after a cluster emerged in Adelaide, despite action from other states across the country.

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