According to the data published this week, the number of eligible people in Dubbo who have been fully vaccinated remains between 10-19 per cent and between 30-39 per cent have had at least one dose.

It's a similar story for the Walgett region but even more concerning is that the figures for indigenous communities, we're told, are even lower in both of those regions.

NSW Health is now moving quickly to try and ramp up vaccinations in the worst-affected parts of the state, Dubbo and Walgett included, and we must now hope it's not a case of too little, too late.

There is also a concerted information campaign under way within those communities, featuring local and respected indigenous voices, urging people to come forward for testing and vaccination - and otherwise stay at home.

It's vital that those messages get through. The indigenous community is among our state's most vulnerable and the low vaccine take-up has only heightened the danger.

There are still a few nervous days of monitoring those numbers ahead of us, though it's a slightly better vaccination story in our part of the world.

Mayor Ian North revealed on Wednesday that 24 per cent of the eligible Bathurst population is now fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and 46 per cent have received have received at least one dose of vaccine.

In Orange the figures are similar for full vaccinations while 50 to 59 per cent have received their first dose. But that doesn't mean we can relax.

Traces of COVID have again been detected in Bathurst's sewage - for the third time in the past week - and also in Orange's.

There are COVID-positive cases on our doorstep in Mudgee and we know there has been a contractor working at the Bathurst Court House in the past fortnight has since tested positive.

With all that going on around us we would all do well to heed the premier's advice: "Every time you leave the house you have to assume you have the virus."

The lockdown is a tough time for many in our community and region but, while it's very likely to be extended, it will not last forever.

Please stay safe, remain calm, be kind and, most importantly, do the right thing.