Addressing the COVID concerns on Thursday, chief executive of Western NSW Local Health District, Scott McLachlan, said that around seven per cent of the population across those four areas were tested.

Roughly 5200 people were COVID-tested on Wednesday, nearly five times as many as the day before.

"That for me is a reasonable level that we would love to see on an ongoing basis," he said.

"I know it was the first day of the lockdown which triggered some concerns and people wanting to come out and get tested.

"The next five days are going to be crucial for us and we need people to come out and get tested, particularly if they've got symptoms, not matter how mild."

ALSO MAKING NEWS:

Although still early days, the question was posed to Mr McLachlan that should no new COVID cases arise in the western health district during the seven day lockdown period, would that mean there would be no extension to the lockdown.

"It would be an incredible place to get to. We know with the current levels of testing and the things that the community are doing to keep safe that'd be a great outcome to see the end of the lockdown," he said.

"There's a lot of things that will need to come into place for that to happen and one of the most important things at the moment is for people to stay home and only come out for the absolutely essential."

He added that there have been no new venues of concern identified, no new COVID cases and no changes to public health orders for the western health district.

But it wasn't all positive news, with reports of abuse being directed towards those administering tests.

"It's been incredibly disappointing to see the frustration bubbling out into anger from people that are either waiting in testing lines or calling our public health unit and being incredibly rude and disrespectful," Mr McLachlan said.

"We urge everyone to show some patience and caution around how you engage with other people.

"This is the time for us to be the best people we can be. Our community is stressed and concerned with what's going on and I know that affects us all, it affects me and I know the fear that encapsulates us when these things happen, so please just be patient and treat everyone with some respect."

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content: