The region's first walk-in vaccination clinic at Pioneer Park in West Dubbo had to temporarily shut its doors on Saturday as health authorities tried to manage the "huge response".
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The first residents arrived at Pioneer Park at almost 4.30am to get in line to get the jab and, by 11am, the clinic had reached capacity.
"There is literally a capacity of jabs we can get into arms, and we've basically already hit that today," Member for Dubbo Dugald Sanders said.
The Australian Defence Force and NSW Health-run clinic aims to vaccinate 600 people per day, which was achieved on Saturday.
It's a welcome response as the COVID-19 situation worsened again on Sunday.
Up until to 8pm on Saturday night, 36 new COVID cases were identified in the Western NSW Local Health District.
Dubbo had 23 new cases, while Wellington recorded three. There were four new cases in Bathurst and two in Orange. Although there will be at least another four cases confirmed for Orange in Monday's numbers.
Bourke recorded two new active cases, and one was recorded in Gulargambone, and one new case identified in Narromine.
Overall there are 253 active cases of COVID across the Western NSW Local Health District.
That's keeping us, the entire community, you and your family everyone safe.
- Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders on vaccination
There were 3000 tests conducted in the past 24 hours, which Mr Saunders said was particularly "concerning".
Mr Saunders said this was "significantly lower" than what we had been seeing, and encouraged those with even the mildest of symptoms or concerns to get tested.
"If you have any links as a causal contact, particularly to any of the venues of concern, we're encouraging you to come forward for testing," he said.
"That's keeping us, the entire community, you and your family everyone safe."
The Pioneer Park clinic will be in place through to Sunday, August 29, from 9am until 4:30pm.
Mr Saunders urged residents to adhere to the stay at home orders, unless for an essential reason, such as getting vaccinated.
Monday will see the opening of a vaccination clinic at the Wellington Aboriginal Corporation Health Service. Bookings are essential, by calling 6845 5423.
This article has been made free to all readers but we depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support.
Zaarkacha Marlan
Court and crime reporter at the Daily Liberal. Formerly the sole journalist for the Nyngan Observer, Narromine News and Trangie Advocate.
Court and crime reporter at the Daily Liberal. Formerly the sole journalist for the Nyngan Observer, Narromine News and Trangie Advocate.
