Corrective Services NSW says the jail remains in a precautionary lockdown after the positive test result was received on Friday morning.

A Corrective Services NSW spokesperson said the 29-year-old man arrived at the jail at around 11am on Wednesday, August 11 as a fresh custody inmate "and was subject to the existing strict COVID-19 protocols for fresh receptions".

"He has been in a single cell since arriving at the centre," the spokesperson said.

"Inmates are tested for COVID-19 when they arrive in custody as a precaution.

"It was this sentinel test that determined he was positive.

"Contact tracing has commenced for any impacted staff, who will be directed to go for immediate COVID-19 testing and await further advice."

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The spokesperson said the safety of all staff and inmates "is our number one priority, and remains at the forefront of our decision-making while COVID-19 continues to pose a risk".

The news about the positive test followed confirmation from the Western NSW Local Health District that COVID fragments had been found in a second sewage sample in Bathurst this week.

Fragments were found in a sewage sample taken in Bathurst on Monday, August 9.

It was thought those fragments may have been associated with an inmate who was bailed from the jail on Monday and later tested positive to COVID.

That inmate was reported to have travelled straight from the jail to Walgett.

In an update on Friday morning, though, the health district said COVID virus fragments were also detected in a Bathurst sewage sample taken on Wednesday, August 11.

Western NSW Local Health District chief executive officer Scott McLachlan said in a COVID update early on Friday afternoon, before the Western Advocate received confirmation of the jail inmate who had tested positive, that the health district was working closely with Corrective Services NSW.

Given rising case numbers in Dubbo and COVID fragments being found in sewage samples in Bathurst and Parkes, Mr McLachlan urged all of those within the health district, whether they are in a locked-down area or not, to stay at home.

"I want everyone to assume that there is significant risk of COVID in all of our communities," he said.

He urged people across the health district to take the danger seriously.

"Stop moving around. Don't leave home unless you absolutely need to," Mr McLachlan said.

Drive-through testing is available at Mount Panorama from 8am to 4pm.

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