Like all of you we at the Central Western Daily were shocked to hear confirmation that three Orange residents have tested positive for the coronavirus at a time when many of us had hoped we'd be immune to its impact for a little longer yet.

Of course things started changing as quickly as the news broke and it soon became obvious that a range of different events were going to be cancelled while others were being put on hold.

The cancellations were felt across a range of events from Relay for Life's flagship event on the weekend right through to James Sheahan Catholic High School's disco next week.

While it's disappointing to hear these things won't go ahead, we all understand the cancellations are designed to stop the virus spreading.

For many of us this week has also marked the start of a new way of greeting each other as we all avoid handshakes and adopt a new level of cleanliness that's probably long overdue in many organisations.

It's hard to predict what the future holds but if we all do what we can to ensure each other's safety now, we will be far better prepared for what's to come.