Regional NSW continues to record more COVID-19 cases as the government decides whether to prolong the lockdown outside of Sydney.
Western and far west NSW continue to be particular areas of concern.
Some 24 of the state’s 818 new cases were in the Western Local Health District. Fourteen were in Dubbo, which has seen a significant outbreak.
People also tested positive in Parkes, Mudgee and Orange.
The Far West Local Health District recorded three new cases in the 24 hours to 8pm on Sunday, but Deputy Premier John Barilaro said on Monday that 15 more positive cases had come in after the reporting period ended.
Of the three cases, one was in Wilcannia, where a funeral held before the area was locked down has caused concern for health authorities. Two cases turned up in Broken Hill.
People who have been in Wilcannia should be tested even if they don’t display symptoms, Mr Barilaro says.
On the south coast, two cases have been found in the Kiama area and one in Wollongong.
The Central Coast has two new cases, one of which was already in isolation.
Fragments of the virus have turned up in sewage in Cobar and Bateau Bay.
“We are looking for people to come out in big numbers in Cobar, Lithgow, Bathurst and Orange,” said Mr Barilaro.
“We need those testing numbers up in those areas as we know transmission will be happening across the community.”
The lockdown of regional NSW is currently set to lift on August 28.
AAP
