Particular concern for Kelso as Bathurst records seventh COVID-19 case overnight

Bathurst MP Paul Toole announced the news via his Facebook page, with WNSWLHD Chief Executive, Scott McLachlan, confirming that the case was infectious in the community.

In the 24 hours to 8pm on Monday night, there was only 667 COVID-19 tests in Bathurst, a figure that Mr McLachlan stressed as extremely concerning, considering the size of Bathurst and he urged the community to come forward for testing.

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"The Bathurst case that was identified overnight we know was infectious in the community. We don't have a known link yet to where they might've picked COVID up from," he said.

"We're incredibly concerned that there's been a lot of people in the community that have been infectious for more than two or three days.

"If I can urge everyone in Bathurst, today's the day to come forward and get tested. Even if you have the mildest of symptoms, there's some real urgency to this. We know that COVID is crawling around Bathurst and all of our communities."

With a new testing clinic in Kelso and with a majority of the new locations of concern announced on Monday evening in the same suburb, Mr McLachlan stressed there was a particular concern for Kelso.

"A number of the cases reside in Kelso. Quite a few, if not most, were infectious in the community for a number of days," he said.

"I would really urge people to come get tested. There's a new testing clinic in Kelso today. Don't delay, there's some real urgency in getting tested."

When Mr McLachlan was asked about whether the cases were linked to the funeral in Wilcannia, he said contact tracers are still yet to identify the source.

"There's still a number of cases in Bathurst we're trying to track down the link," he said.

"We know across the whole of NSW, there's quite a few the cases that were in Wilcannia. Can I please ask if you were at that funeral to come and get tested. Don't wait for any signs or symptoms.

"It was a major spreading event. We know that there's growing numbers of people at the funeral that are being infectious and having COVID confirmed."

Bathurst Laverty Pathology: Drive-through clinic, Mountain Straight, Mount Panorama. Appointments not required. Open Monday-Sunday, 8am-4pm.

Bathurst Base Hospital: Appointments are not required. Open Monday-Sunday, 9am-4pm.

Bathurst Respiratory Clinic: 1470 Panorama Avenue, Ochre Health, CSU appointment required. Open Monday-Sunday, 9am-4pm.

Kelso Community Hub: 24 Bonnor Street, Kelso. No appointments not required. Open Tuesday-Friday; 9am-3pm.

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