Western NSW remains a real concern for NSW Health officials, with 21 new cases of community transmission and multiple detections of virus fragments in sewage across the Western NSW Local Health District in the last 24 hours.
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On a milestone day for the state passing the 5 million vaccines mark, with 50 per cent of the state now receiving its first dose, 415 new cases were recorded across NSW, with four deaths as well.
The state's chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant says the community transmission numbers are "too high".
She stressed the seriousness of the situation, and said her concerns were "grave".
There was fragments of the virus found in Parkes and Bourke, the two sewage systems accounting for around 14,000 people in total.
"We have to push a great sense of responsibility to follow the rules," she said.
"We understands how hard the lockdown is. But the risk we bear if we don't follow the spirit and intent of the public health orders is real.
"Please stay home and don't leave."
The reality is if we do the right thing in the next seven days lockdown will be short, sharp and will be effective
- Deputy premier John Barilaro
The bulk of the 21 new cases in the Western NSW LHD are in Dubbo, with a large portion of those in the aboriginal community.
NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian reiterated Dr Chant's message, maintaining Western NSW remains a concern for officials, "especially in relation to vulnerable indigenous communities".
Deputy premier John Barilaro said the seven-day lockdown would serve its purpose if regional NSW communities followed the rules.
Mr Barilaro said the lockdown was brought in based on the data on the table on Saturday afternoon.
"We've seen with what we did in Orange freedom was able to come back to communities sooner," he said.
"But my message is clear: stay home. There's reasons to leave, and the reality is if we do the right thing in the next seven days lockdown will be short, sharp and will be effective."
NSW Health administered 24,419 COVID-19 vaccines in the 24 hours to 8pm on Saturday night.
The total number of vaccines administered in NSW is now 5,009,457, with 1,840,778 doses administered by NSW Health to 8pm last night and 3,168,679 administered by the GP network and other providers to 11.59pm on Friday 13 August 2021.
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Nick McGrath
Editor, Central Western Daily
Editor, Central Western Daily
