By Ron Campbell, mayor, Narrabri Shire Council

Positive COVID case in Narrabri

Narrabri Shire has remained COVID free the entire pandemic until Wednesday, September 8, when a positive case was identified in Narrabri.

This case is currently under investigation with information for the community to be provided by NSW Health when accurate and relevant information is available.

Current restrictions remain in place

The timing of this case is extremely disappointing given our shire was positioned to have restrictions eased.

The NSW government has announced today that Narrabri Shire will remain under the current stay at home directions.

NSW Nationals Upper House MP Sam Farraway has been in contact with me on Thursday letting me know that he has been speaking with Deputy Premier John Barilaro who has advised if our shire sewage tests remain negative, the community continue to get vaccinated and there’s a significant increase in COVID testing, he will review the lockdown restrictions for Narrabri Shire during the next week with the possibility to come out of lockdown on Saturday week.

NSW Health sewage testing

Council can confirm that the Narrabri and Wee Waa Sewage Treatment Plants were tested for traces of COVID on Tuesday,  September 7, 2021.

The Narrabri STP has returned a negative result. We are awaiting the Wee Waa STP results which we will advise the outcome as soon as they are known.

COVID testing

COVID testing is currently available by appointment at the Narrabri Hospital.

Please call the hospital to arrange an appointment and follow the instructions provided by hospital staff.

Additional testing facilities are being arranged which the community will be advised of when confirmed.

Increased testing will assist us in having restrictions eased by the government sooner. I encourage anyone in the community with the slightest symptoms to arrange a test.

Shire vaccination update

Council was pleased with the results of the weekend vaccination clinics that were held in Wee Waa and Narrabri.

317 vaccinations were administered in Wee Waa.

1236 vaccinations were administered in Narrabri.

The total for the weekend being 1553 vaccinations.

This is a fantastic effort by the community for turning out and to the hard working Royal Flying Doctor Service and the local Hunter New England Health nursing staff who were extremely busy over the three days vaccinating.

No doubt these figures will go a fair way in increasing the vaccination rates of our shire.

 

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