A man who travelled to Walgett while unknowingly infectious with COVID-19 is now in Sydney’s Silverwater jail, in an isolation hub, after allegedly breaching his bail conditions.
The man in his 20s was tested at Bathurst Correctional Centre on Saturday, August 7, and released on Monday, August 9, before his test results came back positive two days later, on Wednesday, August 11. It’s believed the man was infectious while in Bathurst and Dubbo, and when he travelled home to Walgett on Tuesday, August 9.
Corrective Services NSW said it “cannot legally detain an individual once bail has been granted”.
In a statement, NSW Police media said the Walgett man was “arrested and charged by officers from Orana Mid-Western Police District, for domestic violence-related offences” on Friday, August 6.
“He was refused bail and appeared before Dubbo Local Court on Saturday, August 7, 2021, where he was formally refused bail and transferred to Bathurst Correctional Centre, where he underwent a COVID test upon admission.
“On Monday, August 9, 2021, the man reappeared before Dubbo Court where he was granted conditional bail, to reappear before Dubbo Local Court on Wednesday, August 18, 2021.
“On Wednesday, August 11, 2021, Corrective Services NSW were notified that he had returned a positive test for COVID-19.
“Following inquiries, police established the man had allegedly breached his bail conditions and was taken back into police custody in Walgett on Friday, August 13, 2021 and charged with contravene prohibition/restriction in AVO (DV).
“He appeared before Dubbo Local Court the same day via AVL, where he was refused bail to appear before Walgett Local Court on Tuesday, August 24, 2021.”
“I am just amazed,” said Walgett Shire mayor Ian Woodcock.
“I don’t know how it happened – I mean if he was tested, why would they let him out the next day?
“It takes three days to get your tests back normally.
“There’s no answer to it.
“We asked the question – I can tell you.
“And no doubt people will keep asking the question saying how could it happen in this day and age that they could do something like that with something that’s as bad as this Delta strain.”
The Courier asked Corrective Services NSW why the man was released before receiving his COVID test results and a spokesman responded with the below statement:
“A 27-year-old male offender was arrested in Dubbo and remanded in custody in Bathurst Correctional Centre on Saturday, August 7, 2021.
“On the same day, the offender was tested for COVID-19 by the Justice Health & Forensic Mental Health Unit.
“JH&FMHN are responsible for the provision of health care in NSW prisons, including COVID-19 testing and screening for fresh custody inmates.
“On Monday, August 9, 2021 the offender was granted bail and released same day.
“Corrective Services NSW cannot legally detain an individual once bail has been granted.
“CSNSW is not in a position to confirm the whereabouts or movement of the offender post bail.
“CSNSW was advised by JH&FMHN two days after his release that the offender had tested positive.
“The offender has since returned to custody and is being housed in the isolation hub at the Metropolitan Remand and Reception Centre at Silverwater.”
Resources for testing and vaccination clinics have been ramped up across regional and Western NSW as the number of COVID-19 cases
continues to rise.
Members of the Walgett Shire including Burren Junction and Rowena residents are being urged to get tested, re-rested if they have symptoms, and vaccinated.
“For the concern of the community and themselves, I think people should make sure they’re tested and have the jab,” said Cr Woodcock.
“The injection has now been made available so I think they should take full advantage of it and have it done.
“The health facilities are only very small, and goodness only knows what would happen if we did get a bad outbreak.
“It’s just important that people take care and observe the rules.
“It’s in their interest and everyone else’s interest to make sure that things are done right.”
To order photos from this page click here
