BATHURST has officially gone a year without a single active case of COVID-19.
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While it is a fantastic achievement, the threat of the virus still looms and residents are urged to remain vigilant.
The city's last active case of COVID-19 was reported to have concluded in the 24 hours to 10am on April 23, 2020.
The first case of COVID-19 was recorded in Bathurst on March 18, with the total number of cases rising to 9 by March 30.
No new cases have been recorded since.
Mayor Bobby Bourke said he was proud of the efforts people in Bathurst had made to keep the community free of COVID-19 for 12 months.
He also appreciated the guidance that came from the state government to keep communities safe.
"The state government and the premier have done a magnificent job in focussing on NSW in how we control COVID-19. We were all thrown in the same basket and did a good job in how we controlled it in the regions," Cr Bourke said.
"It's really good news we haven't had a case in 12 months and now we're looking to have 6000 people at the football.
"... [COVID-19] has been a costly thing for our community, but we're looking forward to coming out of this and being stronger for it."
While happy with Bathurstians' behaviour over the last year, Cr Bourke said people need to keep up with all the measures to remain safe, including sanitising, social distancing and staying home when unwell, as an outbreak can easily start if people don't remain vigilant.
Vaccinations are also a key step in getting life as close to normal as possible.
"I encourage everyone to get their jab when it becomes available for them," Cr Bourke said.
It is also important for people to continue coming forward for testing if they are displaying any symptoms of COVID-19, including a cough, sore throat, runny nose, fever, fatigue, nausea, difficulty breathing and loss of taste or smell.
"Any symptoms, there are places you can be tested immediately and I encourage that," Cr Bourke said.
Around 24,000 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Bathurst to date.
Testing is available at Bathurst Hospital between 9am and 2pm daily, or people can make appointments at the Bathurst Respiratory Clinic, located at 1470 Panorama Avenue.
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