COVID outbreak at St Mary's Villa in Dubbo, Western NSW

Speaking on Friday, Western NSW Local Health District chief executive Scott McLachlan said they acted quickly following the initial case.

"Earlier in the week we had a staff member at St Mary's Villa in Dubbo that has a positive test returned," he said.

"We've now seen overnight the testing across all of the residents and staff have identified three residents to date and one additional staff member have tested positive.

"The residents are well and being cared for in the aged care facility by the amazing team that's helping to provide a safe environment and a caring environment. They are all still relatively well and being cared for in that location."

22 of the staff are fully vaccinated and 15 are partially vaccinated with all having received at least one dose.

23 residents are fully vaccinated and 12 are partially vaccinated so all residents have had at least one vaccine.

"There are some positives there, nonetheless we want to get that vaccination rate up much higher to protect all staff and residents in that facility," Mr McLachlan.

"It's a timely reminder of the critical points that when we know COVID is in our community, the protection and support of our elderly and frail people can never be more important.

"Can I ask everyone to think about that in your daily activities, the things that you go outside and do everyday.

"It takes one person infecting someone connected to an aged care facility for this to end terribly for people in our community."

He added that the aged care staff member that tested positive on Thursday was tested in the 24 hours prior.

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