The community of Parkes in central west NSW is being urged to be extremely vigilant after the NSW Health sewage surveillance program detected fragments of the COVID-19 virus in the region’s sewage treatment plant for a second time.
“This means that there are concerns that there is an active case of COVID-19 in our community. In order to find the source of infection, Western Area Health are encouraging the community to present for testing,” said Parkes Mayor, Ken Keith OAM today.
“Thank you to everyone who has turned up to be tested so far but we need to increase our testing rates to help increase the odds of detecting the infection. I would urge anyone who has any symptoms at all no matter how mild to get tested immediately. This includes children who are of particular concern as they present often present with much milder symptoms to adults, so please if you are being tested take your family members along with you.”
The testing clinic will be open between 10am – 3pm at the Parkes Showground at this stage until at least Wednesday the 18 August. You don’t need an appointment and entry is via the main gate in Victoria Street.
“To ensure that we comply State-wide lockdown regulations we need to make sure that follow health advice from reliable sources and not commentary on Social Media,” Mayor Keith said.
To adhere with the Stay-at-Home orders, Council will be closing and restricting access to some facilities. This means that Council’s Administration Centre, Library and Visitor Service Centre will be closed to walk in customers during the lockdown period. However, there will be staff available to answer all customer service enquires and help with transactions via phone on 02 6861 2333, email at council@parkes.nsw.gov.au, our social media channels or online at www.my.parkes.nsw.gov.au.
Regarding waste collection, all regular kerbside waste collection will continue as usual. The tip will be closed to the General Public, as no member of the public with a kerbside bin collection service should be visiting a recycling or waste management facility as it is not one of the essential reasons for leaving your home.
Waste collections from health and medical, aged care, hotel, commercial and industrial premises will continue, and commercial waste can continue to be brought to Council’s waste facilities.
For the full list of changes to our facilities, please visit Council’s website at www.parkes.nsw.gov.au.
