Two new cases of COVID were identified in Orange in the 24 hours up to 8pm on Friday.
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The Orange cases were included in the 10 new cases identified for go the Western NSW Local Health District.
In the same reporting period there were seven new cases in Coonabarabran and another in Coonamble.
NSW has recorded 235 new COVID-19 cases in the 24 hours to 8pm.
- READ ALSO: NSW records 235 COVID-19 cases
Three cases have been excluded following further investigation, bringing the total number of cases in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic to 80,981.
No deaths were recorded in the reporting period.
Of the 235 cases reported to 8pm last night:
- 65 are from South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (LHD)
- 49 are from South Western Sydney LHD
- 29 are from Western Sydney LHD
- 21 are from Sydney LHD
- 21 are from Hunter New England LHD
- 17 are from Northern Sydney LHD
- 10 are from Western NSW LHD
- five are from Murrumbidgee LHD
- five are from Nepean Blue Mountains LHD
- five are from Southern NSW LHD
- three are from Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD
- two are from Central Coast LHD
- two are from Mid North Coast LHD
- and one is from Northern NSW LHD
NSW Health's ongoing sewage surveillance program has detected fragments of the virus that causes COVID-19 in sewage samples collected from Quirindi, Eden, Bermagui, Coonamble, South Lismore and East Lismore, where there are currently no known or recent cases.
Australia has been urged to remain vigilant and maintain COVID-19 control measures as a new and stronger variant threatens to spread from southern Africa.
The World Health Organisation said it was designating the variant, named Omicron, as being "of concern" - a label only given to four variants to date. Omicron first emerged in Botswana and has been detected in South Africa, Hong Kong, Israel and Belgium.
It has double the number of mutations as the Delta variant that sparked a third wave of outbreaks and lockdowns in Australia this year.
Vaccinated hospitality workers will not have to wear masks on the job from December 15 and QR check-ins will vanish at many businesses.
Masks will be required only on public transport and planes, at airports, and for indoors front-of-house hospitality staff who are not fully vaccinated.
Density limits of one person per two square metres in pubs, cafes and many other businesses will be scrapped and COVID safety plans will be optional for businesses.
QR check-ins will be needed only at high-risk venues, including hospitals, aged and disability care facilities, gyms, places of worship, funerals or memorial services, hairdressers, beauty salons, pubs, small bars, registered clubs and nightclubs.
Proof of vaccination will no longer be required by Public Health Order for most activities, but businesses can still require proof at their own discretion.
Proof of vaccination and QR codes will still be required for indoor music festivals with more than 1000 people.
COVID-19 testing:
Orange Showground Drive-through - Monday to Friday - 8am to 4pm
Wade Park Drive-through - Monday to Friday - 8am to 4pm; Saturday 8am to 11am
Orange Health Service - Saturday and Sunday - 12pm to 4pm
Orange Respiratory Clinic (book appointments online) - Monday to Friday - 8am to 12pm
COVID-19 Vaccination:
Orange Vaccination Hub, 123 Paisley Street. Book Online or phone 1800 571 155. For other vaccination providers go to www.healthdirect.gov.au
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- with AAP