Narrabri Shire has been put on alert following the detection of a COVID case in the community last week.
Details started to emerge on Wednesday night with the initial report of a positive case who had been in Narrabri.
This was further confirmed on Thursday morning and the investigative work of health authorities and police was well underway.
Testing was ramped up with a drive-through clinic operating at Narrabri Hospital in response to the increased threat of COVID in the community.
In a statement released at the weekend, police confirmed that the patient, who is no longer in the shire, was working on a construction site which has been closed down.
The construction site was subject to deep cleaning and remains closed until all employees of the location return a negative result.
By early Sunday afternoon, the BP petrol station on Cooma Road was listed as a case location.
Anyone who attended the venue on September 7 between 8pm and 8.05pm is being directed to get tested and isolate until a negative result is received.
The release of the location as a venue visited by a positive case was delayed due to incorrect information supplied to contact tracers, Inspector Robert Dunn said.
However, when speaking with The Courier, he reassured the community that the exposure time at the site was very limited.
Insp Dunn has also urged the community to keep its cool in relation to the venue.
“The business didn’t invite this issue,” he said.
Insp Dunn said police would investigate any potential criminal conduct on social media.
He told The Courier it is an offence to harass or intimidate people on social media.
Speaking about identifying a location, Insp Dunn said the details were later verified through investigations conducted by Narrabri Police with the full cooperation of the venue.
“It remains the role of the NSW Police Force to protect the community, including the publication of factual information when it is received,” Insp Dunn said.
In relation to the construction site where the positive case worked, NSW Police said officers remain in contact with ‘close contacts’ to ensure compliance with the Public Health Order.
“In working with the company, we are satisfied that all close and casual contacts have been identified, who have all undergone COVID testing, and there is no requirement to place it as a venue of concern due to no person being outstanding,” NSW Police said in a statement.
“Please remember Narrabri Shire remains subject to ‘stay at home’ provisions of the Public Health Order and residents (and visitors to the area) are reminded to comply with the requirements that were previously in place regarding the wearing of masks, stay at home unless you have a reasonable excuse, and QR check in.
“Should you experience the mildest of flu-like symptoms, or suffer from shortness of breath, get tested immediately.”
Narrabri District Health Service has issued the same directive in relation to mild symptoms and the need to test.
It too has urged the community to call Narrabri Hospital to book a test, even for mild flu-like symptoms.
People can phone 6799 2800 to book a COVID testing appointment.
See more COVID news:
- Narrabri case location listed | Very limited exposure time: Police
- Police satisfied that close, casual contacts at worksite of positive case identified
- Friday COVID update | Drive-through testing starts
