CASES of COVID-19 continue to rise as the virus sweeps across the New England North West region.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Hunter New England Health has urged the community to get vaccinated and be tested at the first onset of any symptoms as infections spring up across multiple towns.
In Moree, eleven new cases were detected on Monday, with a further new case in Narrabri.
Tamworth and Gunnedah both recorded a donut day for the start of the week but public health physician Dr David Durrheim holds concerns with 12 people infection in the community and three under investigation across the entire Hunter New England Health district.
"Over the weekend we've seen our first case in Narrabri and this really speaks to the fact that this virus with open roads is going to travel to every town eventually across the Hunter New England region," he said.
"It's very important that people in Narrabri take this very seriously, fortunately there is high vaccine coverage in Narrabri but there are people who are unvaccinated and there is the potential for the virus to spread.
"We also call out Mungindi and Uralla where we've had repeated sewage detects, there's clearly virus in that community.
"Don't ignore it, any symptoms please get tested."
Read also:
Dr Durrheim said the virus is taking the opportunity to spread in large, unvaccinated family groups.
"At this stage we particularly implore anybody who identifies as Aboriginal to make sure you get vaccinated, don't let the virus be the cause of ill health in your family, your group and your friends.
"We also call out church groups, we've seen transmission of virus in places of worship and it's probably not surprising in an indoor environment where we've got people mixing who are vaccinated and unvaccinated.
"It's really critical that church leaders make sure they get the message across that no-one who has got symptoms should attend, that churches should strictly apply mask rules because this is another way of keeping people safe.
"It's very important that church leaders encourage congregations to get vaccinated, that's the best way to protect the people that you love."
The new case numbers bring the district's total to 4,176 since August 5.
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:
- Bookmark northerndailyleader.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News