Coronavirus: One in 10 infected in Wilcannia, western NSW

Wilcannia has recorded 64 infections since the outbreak arrived in the far-west NSW town more than a week ago.

Volunteer Brendan Adams delivers food parcels in Wilcannia a week ago. Picture: Chris Pavlich

More than one in 10 people in the far-west NSW town of Wilcannia have been infected by Covid-19, with health authorities flying at least one seriously ill patient to Adelaide for treatment.

The town, with a population of about 600 people – the majority Indigenous – has recorded 64 infections since the outbreak arrived more than a week ago.

The Australian has previously reported delays in testing had artificially kept case numbers low.

Now, Roy Butler, the Fishers, Farmers and Shooters MP representing the area, said he was increasingly concerned about the mental health of Wilcannia’s residents. “Not every household out there has internet connectivity or a device that might connect to the internet,” Mr Butler said.

There were 27 new Covid-19 infections in the state’s western and far-west local health districts on Sunday, taking the total reported at the weekend to 73 cases.

Less than 7 per cent of the Indigenous population in western NSW have been fully vaccinated, compared to 26 per cent for the non-Indigenous population.

A total of 509 cases have emerged in the western local health district alone since the outbreak began, the largest number in Dubbo.

There were 18 new infections in the town reported on Sunday, with three in Narromine, two in Bourke, one in Brewarrina and one in Nyngan, officials said.

Nationals MP Dugald Saunders, who represents the region, said he expected case numbers to rise for at least another week.

“Twenty-five is not an indication that things are heading in right direction just to be very clear about that,” Mr Saunders said.

“I can tell you there are at least that numbers that are being investigated right now which will possibly be added to tomorrow’s numbers so it’s not an indication that things have calmed down … there is still more concern about particular parts of our region.

“The hope is that in the next week or so it will plateau, stabilise and come back the other way.”

Testing numbers – just 3400 on Saturday – were very low, health officials warned.

The Australian Defence Force, called in to bolster the vaccination program in the region, was due to leave Dubbo on Sunday and travel to Mudgee, Gulgong, Rhylstone, Candos and Dunedoo, but to return in September to administer the second doses.

NSW Health officials also said they had detected traces of Covid-19 in the towns of Trangie, Byron Bay, Tamworth and Walgett, while six correctional officers at Bathurst jail have also tested positive for the virus. Those officers were now in isolation and contact tracing was taking place.