WNSWLHD to employ security guards at Bathurst COVID-19 quarantine facility

The role will "assist with and support the hotel quarantine program" and WNSWLHD Chief Executive Scott McLachlan said security guards will make sure the safety of the community isn't compromised

"They're a place where you're required to spend the period of isolation, typically 14 days, not leaving that location.

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"What we've seen in Sydney and other places, there are people who have tried to breakout and leave their accommodation. I know the police have had to track down people who have left those accommodations while they're suppose to be in isolation and they're infectious.

"This a really crucial step that we can't risk to our community. If people are infected with COVID, they can't be going about in our community.

Mr McLachlan said people that enter the quarantine facility cannot leave halfway through their stay and opt to go back home to isolate.

"Our public health team will always review if there's changed situations in the household or in quarantine," he said.

"Typically we do want people to stay at there for the entire infectious period. The less people moving around is the most crucial thing."

This comes after five cases of COVID-19 were confirmed for Bathurst on Tuesday morning, with WNSWLHD confirming a "vast majority" were connected to the outbreak at the Bathurst Correctional Centre.

Of the five cases, two were insolation, two were in the community while infectious and the other was still under investigation.

Overall, 54 cases were reported across WNSWLHD, with 32 cases confirmed in Dubbo.

Across the region, 17 patients have been admitted to hospital, with four in intensive care.

Bathurst had no new venues of concern announced, however, Bathurst Chiropractic announced on its Facebook page on Monday evening that a positive COVID-19 had visited the practice on Thursday, August 26.

The practice was closed on Monday for a deep clean, before being open on Tuesday.

Everyone considered a close contact had been contacted by NSW Health.

Testing for COVID-19 remains available at three locations - at the hospital, at the drive-through clinic at Mount Panorama and the Bathurst Respiratory Clinic.

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