Cowra will be locked down for seven days from 5pm today after the western NSW town recorded its first case of COVID-19 over the weekend.
Western NSW Local Health District confirmed the positive on case – a 9-year-old boy – yesterday and it was included in official NSW case numbers by Premier Gladys Berejiklian at this morning’s press conference.
“There was a 9-year-old boy who attended school in Cowra and there were a number of associated community exposures,” said NSW Chief Health Officer, Kerry Chant.
“The source at the moment is under investigation and I would call on the Cowra community, which I know they will respond to increased testing and it is pleasing to see that the Cowra population has a high vaccination coverage but, again, call out the Community to go forth and get vaccinated.”
It’s understood the boy is now in home isolation in Cowra but was likely infectious within the community for some period of time.
Drive-through COVID testing has been set up at Cowra Showground for local residents.
NSW Health says the stay-at-home orders also apply to anyone who has been in the Cowra LGA since 13 September.
“Everyone in the Cowra LGA must stay at home unless it is for an essential reason, which includes shopping for food, medical care, getting vaccinated, compassionate needs, exercise and work or tertiary education if you can’t work or study at home,” the health authority said in a statement.
“People who are fully vaccinated can attend an outdoor gathering of up to five people for exercise or outdoor recreation, as long as all of those aged 16 or older are fully vaccinated.
“To determine the extent of the risk and detect any further potential COVID-19 cases in these areas, we are calling on the communities to come forward for testing in large numbers.
“A strong response to testing will be a key factor in determining if these stay-at-home orders are extended beyond one week. High vaccination rates are also essential to reduce the risk of transmission and protect the health and safety of the community.”
Statewide, NSW recorded 935 new locally-acquired cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night and four further deaths.
The deaths included two men in their 60s from south western Sydney, who died at Liverpool Hospital; a man in his 80s from western Sydney, who died at Nepean Hospital – his death is the second linked to an outbreak at Uniting Edinglassie Lodge Residential Aged Care Facility in Penrith; and a woman in her 80s from the Wollongong area, who died at Wollongong Hospital.
There have been 245 COVID-19 related deaths in NSW since 16 June 2021 and 301 in total since the start of the pandemic.
There are currently 1,207 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, with 236 people in intensive care, 123 of whom require ventilation.
