Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) confirmed to the Central Western Daily that there had been six cases in total, after reporting three earlier in the day.

However, as these three new cases were identified shortly before lunchtime, they will be included in Tuesday's official COVID numbers.

Of the six new cases, so far only two have been identified as being infectious in the community, while three of them were still under investigation.

"Investigations are ongoing in relation to activity in the community, however the source of transmission is known," WNSWLHD said.

"There will likely be venues identified where contacts will be asked to undergo testing, and these will be published on the NSW Health website when they are confirmed."

Among the new cases reported Monday is an Orange City Council worker who tested positive to COVID late on Sunday, October 10.

The staff member works in the community services section in a non-educational role and visited Courallie Park and Yarrawong childcare centres last week. They were was also in the office at Giyalang Ganya Community Services Centre in Lords Place.

Across the health district, there were 13 new cases identified. In addition to the three cases in Orange, these were in Bourke (2), Dubbo (2), Walgett (5) and Wellington (1).

The two cases in Dubbo were infectious in the community, as were 3 of the new cases in Walgett and one in Wellington.

There have been eight deaths and 496 new COVID-19 cases across NSW to 8pm last night.

There are 769 people with the virus in hospital with 153 in ICU.

Two cases were also acquired overseas while 83,498 tests were conducted in the past 24 hours.

Today is the first day of cases being reported at 9am.

The state has reached 90.3 per cent of those aged 16 years and older with one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine while 73.5 per cent are fully vaccinated.

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NSW has taken its first steps towards re-opening today as it celebrates the easing of restrictions from hitting the 70 per cent double dose vaccination rate.

However, while re-opening has brought much optimism to the state as shops, pubs and hairdressers re-open, allowing for people to book in much-needed cuts and return to retail and hospitality work, there are also concerns around what it will mean for case numbers going forward.

Certain parts of the state which were not in lockdown prior to this morning are also seeing 'freedom day' as more of a step backwards with the unvaccinated now no longer able to go places they could just 24 hours ago.

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