Parkes resident who visited Moree property tests positive to COVID-19, Puma Service Station Moree listed as exposure site

Moree mayor Katrina Humphries said the woman had travelled from Parkes and stayed at a rural property, but it's understood her movements were limited.

The person has since left the region, received notification of their positive test result on Monday and immediately gone into isolation, she said.

Hunter New England Health notified the community of a new Moree COVID-19 exposure site on Tuesday.

Public Health Controller Dr David Durrheim said on departure from Moree, the case briefly visited a local petrol station.

Anyone who visited the Puma Service Station in Moree on Tuesday, August 24 from 2.20pm to 2.25pm is considered a casual contact and must get tested and isolate until a negative result is received.

"They were infectious in Moree for one day but had no close contact with any community members while infectious," Mr Durrheim said.

"Contact tracing and risk assessments have determined that there are no close contacts linked to this case in the Moree region."

Authorities believe based on the case's history, it is unlikely to be the cause of the detection of fragments of the virus in Moree's sewerage system last week, because the sewage test was taken on the night of Monday, August 23.

"The visitor from Parkes has no bearing on the sewerage testing we had which detected traces of the virus the week before. This is totally separate," Cr Humphries told the Leader.

"We're very thankful for the procedures that were put in place and the responsibility that the people that were closely associated with that woman put into play.

"They stepped up into testing and isolation straight away."

READ ALSO:

Since then, additional testing of Moree's sewage has been undertaken, which has come back negative.

The virus was also detected in Tamworth sewage taken on Tuesday and Thursday last week.

The Moree community has been encouraged to immediately get tested and isolate until a negative result is received if they develop any symptoms.

"I know there has been understandable anxiety since the first report of traces of COVID-19 in our sewerage and this will come as a great relief to our communities in the Moree Plains, but this must not stop us from being compliant and doing the right thing," Moree council's general manager Lester Rodgers said in a statement on Tuesday.

"I urge you all to get tested, get vaccinated, and follow the stay-at-home rules, where possible".

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: