The region's health district has urged community members showing any symptoms of coronavirus to step forward and be tested after the healthy district has experienced a significant decrease in tests being administered.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In a statement released on Wednesday morning, the Murrumbidgee Local Health District announced there has been no new cases within the health district as of 8am on April 15, with the total tally of confirmed cases in the region - including those who have recovered - still at 44.
The last new case was confirmed in the health district's April 11 update - with the case confirmed in the Albury City LGA between 8am on April 10 and 8am on April 11.
However, MLHD has seen a drop-off in tests for COVID-19 being done, with 93 tests done in the health district between 8am on April 11 and 8am on April 15.
The drop-off has come in the face of a widening of testing criteria in the health district.
A total of 2539 tests have been done in the health district to date, but MLHD chief executive Jill Ludford said the more tests which are done, the easier it is to identify those who need appropriate care as soon as possible.
"It is the people who should be tested who are not coming forward that we are most concerned about," Ms Ludford said.
"People with COVID-19 can become very unwell quickly, and we need ensure people get the appropriate care so that they have the best chance of recovery.
"Not only is it concerning from a health perspective for those individuals who are symptomatic and have not sought testing, but they could be spreading the virus further."
MLHD have set up seven clinics to help facilitate and increased demand for COVID-19 tests in the region, with clinics open in Griffith, Leeton, Wagga Wagga, Cootamundra, Hay, Tumut and Deniliquin.
Appointments for the clinics are essential - with those looking to be tested needing to first contact MLHD's COVID-19 hotline on 1800 831 099 for a confidential over-the-phone assessment.
READ MORE
Ms Ludford said she commends those who have stepped up to be tested and are following all the right rules on self-isolation.
"We applaud those who had the courage to come forward for testing," Ms Ludford said.
"They are doing the right thing and giving us an opportunity to help track the disease and provide the right care.
"Once people are identified as being positive, we undertake contact tracing to identify anyone that they may have come in contact with."
MLHD invites anyone who believes they may have contracted COVID-19 to contact the district's COVID-19 hotline on 1800 831 099 for a confidential over-the-phone assessment.
The hotline operates between 7am and 9pm, seven days a week.
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, sore throat, dry cough and shortness of breath, with symptoms generally appearing three to four days after exposure to the virus - but symptoms can also start to show up to 14 days after exposure.
Our COVID-19 news articles relating to public health and safety are free for anyone to access. However, we depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support.