More details have been revealed about the man in his 50s from Western NSW who died after testing positive for COVID.
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Speaking to the media on Monday, Western NSW Local Health District chief executive Scott McLachlan said the Dubbo man who died was Aboriginal and had not received any dose of the vaccine.
"A very sad and sombre day with the passing of a 50-year-old Aboriginal man in Dubbo Health Service," Mr McLachlan said.
"Sincere sympathies and thoughts go out to the family and friends of the broader Aboriginal community across Dubbo and the whole of the region.
"There couldn't be a more timely day to be focusing on vaccinations as this gentleman was not vaccinated. We know that people will die if the vaccines don't get into arms.
"We know there is a lot of misinformation. There is a lot of opportunity for people to get vaccinated across Western NSW. Can I please implore everyone, this is time for everyone to step up and get the jab, get double jabbed. Don't mess around any longer."
It was also revealed that in the Dubbo Regional Council area, just 31 per cent of Indigenous people have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and that only 75 per cent of the general population in Western NSW aged over 70 have been vaccinated.
Mr McLachlan also added that the man who died did have underlying health issues.
"We know that he was in intensive care being supported by specialist teams," he added.
"Nonetheless it is a reminder that he wasn't vaccinated. It's a reminder to all of us that vaccination is our solution to stop people dying. It stops people getting into intensive care, it stops people from getting really crook."
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