More coronavirus tests have been conducted in Orange than anywhere else in the Western Local Health District, with over 1100 people tested for COVID-19 since pandemic broke out.
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Until now testing data has only been available by local health district, but from Friday the NSW Government began releasing information by postcode.
In an Australian first, the heat maps pinpoint COVID-19 cases by postcode and also shows how many people have recovered from the virus, the estimated number of active cases and number of tests completed.
During April 509 tests were conducted in Orange, bringing the city's total up to 1135.
In comparison, Bathurst also conducted 509 tests throughout the month of April but their overall total is just shy of 1000, at 981.
In the Dubbo postcode, health authorities conducted 327 coronavirus tests during April, with the overall number now at 617.
By comparison, there have been 370 virus tests conducted in Lithgow, 181 in Mudgee, 132 in Parkes, 114 in Young, 87 in Cowra, 82 in Blayney, 82 in Forbes and 68 in Oberon.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said data in the heat maps would help inform the community about COVID-19 testing and recovery rates across the state.
"NSW has one of the highest COVID-19 testing rates in the world. We have tested more than 200,000 people and have capacity to test more than 110,000 in a fortnight," she said.
"This new way of showing NSW Health data will help communities understand the numbers of people being tested, and encourage more people with symptoms to come forward for testing when they see the impact COVID-19 is having on their local area.
"It also provides encouraging data showing how people are bouncing back from the virus."
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said the heat maps build on the transparency of existing data and will help the community stay informed.
"Providing these heat maps to the public makes NSW a leader in the delivery of live information about COVID-19," he said.
"At this point in time, it shows the community is rising to the challenge and doing the right thing by our state."
View the heat map to check out data for your postcode.
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Nadine Morton
Nadine Morton covers emergency services and breaking news for the Illawarra Mercury. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Nadine Morton covers emergency services and breaking news for the Illawarra Mercury. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au
