The Western NSW Local Health District has reaffirmed their call for members of the community to be extra vigilant regarding the management of COVID-19, regardless of the daily case figure or vaccination rate.
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In the 24 hours to 8pm Monday, Bathurst recorded zero cases of COVID-19, down from five new cases the day before.
But after a positive case in Bathurst last week proved problematic for contact tracers, WNSWLHD chief executive officer Scott McLachlan reaffirmed on Tuesday the importance of being upfront and honest with contact tracers.
"Every day, our contact tracers are having really difficult conversations with people who have been declared as a positive COVID-19 case," Mr McLachlan said.
"Some are honestly behaving terribly towards staff, the aggression and language being used is really concerning, and the instance in Bathurst last week was just one of many.
"We know being diagnosed with COVID-19 is a scary thing to happen, but we want to support anyone as best as we can, and aggressive behaviour doesn't help the cause."
Mr McLachlan reiterated the strict penalties in place for people who mislead contact tracers, including $5000 for failure to answer questions, as well as provide name, contact details and accurate information to a contact tracer.
"Police will definitely take action if there's misinformation being provided," he said.
"I've heard people say they weren't at a place of interest when they were, and vice versa, so the community needs to understand there's serious implications for purposely misinforming contact tracers."
READ ALSO: NSW records two more deaths, 1127 new cases
On a lighter note, Mr McLachlan commended the increase in people who have presented for COVID-19 vaccinations, with 39.2 per cent of the Bathurst local government area now fully vaccinated, and 76.1 per cent one dose down.
"Over the past month, we've seen the biggest increase in vaccination rates across the entire district, with first dose numbers tripling for Indigenous residents and doubling for non-Indigenous residents," he said.
"Seven WNSWLHD local government areas now have first dosage rates above 80 per cent, and nine LGA's have their second dosage rates sitting between 40 and 50 per cent."
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