After going into lockdown over the weekend, western NSW continues to be an area of concern in terms of COVID-19.

On Tuesday, August 17, the area’s positive case numbers surpassed triple digits – 18 overnight, including 16 in Dubbo and two in Bourke, totaling 116 so far.

Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton, has labelled this situation as “alarming”.

“This is a difficult time, but if we all do our bit in protecting our communities – by staying home, getting tested and vaccinated – I’m confident we can get through this,” he said.

“Dubbo is of particular concern, but I’m also now hearing of cases in Narromine and Gilgandra.

“So it’s an important reminder that, no matter where you are, we must follow the health advice.”

Mr Coulton says he’s seeing compliance with these rules reflected well in regional communities.

“From my perspective, I’m seeing our communities take this very seriously – we’re complying with mask-wearing and QR code check-ins,” he said.

“But we need to keep it up if we want to beat this Delta strain.”

Mr Coulton believes this attitude has also been reflected in the essential local businesses that remain open at this time.

“Obviously safety is the top priority, but we don’t want any business to be impacted more than necessary so not every storefront is closed right now,” he said.

“As long as staff and customers are abiding by the health advice and the business is classified as essential, they are clear to keep their doors open.

“And we’re seeing how keen those businesses are to continue trading through their enthusiastic use of check-in stations, with hand sanitiser and QR codes, that are placed at many shop fronts.

“I encourage residents to continue using those, just as they have been throughout the pandemic, in order to keep community transmission down – the current lockdown rules can change if we don’t keep the spread at a minimum.”

In keeping with these COVID-Safe efforts, Mr Coulton reminds locals that it’s vital they only leave home when absolutely necessary.

“You should only be travelling for those important purposes, such as shopping for essential items and work that can’t be done remotely,” he said.

“I’m working from home myself during this time.”

Mr Coulton says our best chance of getting out of the current lockdown, which he predicts could last longer than a week, is to get vaccinated.

“Vaccination is our best chance of fighting this virus,” he said.

“Whichever option is available to you, get that vaccine.

“Personally, I got AstraZeneca because I know that getting infected by COVID will be much worse than any potential adverse side effects of the jab. If you’re concerned about the vaccine, book an appointment with your GP to discuss your options.”

Mr Coulton has welcomed the regional pharmacies that have come on board to administer AstraZeneca.

“I’m very pleased to see pharmacies joining in to help with the vaccine rollout,” he said.

“Not only will this take some of the pressure off other vaccination providers, but it will speed up the rate of jabs in arms and get us closer to those vaccination targets.

“Plus, many regional residents are quite comfortable with the relationship they have with their local pharmacist, so I imagine that will help encourage vaccine uptake.”

As vaccination numbers continue to rise across NSW, Mr Coulton is relieved to see a decrease in vaccine hesitancy, particularly in rural and remote areas.

“We’re almost a victim of our own success in that the threat of COVID may not have been felt as strongly in those communities that have managed to keep their case numbers at zero,” he said.

“But now that we’re seeing positive cases in communities across western NSW, some in towns that escaped unscathed in the first wave, we’re seeing more people commit to getting vaccinated to protect themselves and those around them.”

In line with the health advice asking anyone who feels unwell to get tested, Mr Coulton reminds locals to remain patient for their swab results.

“I urge everyone to come forward for testing, even if you have the mildest of symptoms,” he said.

“And I ask you bear with the laboratories who are working as hard as they can.

“Even still, in some cases, there can be a delay between when you’re tested and when you receive confirmation of your results.

“It’s not possible for these facilities to be working any faster than they are, so I just ask you remain patient – particularly if you’re not in a priority area or community of concern.”

Mr Coulton suggests, if you have waited a substantial time and still not received your result, to get in contact with the venue where you were tested.

“If you get tested at your town’s hospital and still haven’t heard from them after five or six days, you can try getting in touch to check on the progress of your result,” he said.

“But I’d also like to remind locals just how important it is to follow the rules while you’re waiting for your test results – you shouldn’t be out in the community before you know you’re negative.”

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