COVIID-19 | Orange Birdie restaurant's close contacts face more tests

A Western NSW Local Health District spokeswoman said 61 close contacts had been identified and were now in 14-day self-isolation.

The close contacts, staff, customers and others, have been identified as being in the Birdie Noshery and Drinking Est on Summer Street around the time a man who had the virus visited on Sunday.

The 18-year-old, linked to the Berala BWS bottle shop hotspot, visited the restaurant and used the bathroom, between noon and 2pm.

He was returning to Sydney via Broken Hill and Nyngan with a group of friends after a camping trip.

The spokeswoman said the close contacts would probably be tested at the start, roughly mid-way and near the end, of their isolation period. She said NSW Health officials would be in contact with each of them daily and police could make random visits.

As most people tested in Orange since the alert was issued on Tuesday are now receiving their results, and no positive cases yet found, it would appear the close contacts have so far tested negative.

However, NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said the virus had an incubation period which meant it might not initially be detected.

"It has been pleasing to see the testing response in regional NSW in and around Broken Hill, Orange and Nyngan," she said.

"It is important that because we are looking at that exposure period being 14 days you might then go and get symptoms. Please ensure even though you've had that negative test today, please continue to get tested," she said.

Under NSW Health guidelines, close contacts in self-isolation are not allowed to leave their homes unless for medical care or a permitted purpose.

If other people are sharing the house mask-wearing is required as is the use of a separate bathroom if it is available.

There were no new locally-acquired cases in NSW in the 24 hours to 8pm on Wednesday.

Testing is available on Friday at several sites across Orange including drive-through facilities at the Orange Showground and Emus Rugby Club, and walk-up at Orange Hospital.