NEW data has revealed areas of the MIA could be hit hard by coronavirus outbreaks as restrictions start to ease.
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Using a model of the Australian population, comprising profiles of households and individuals, Finity, an Australian actuarial and consulting firm, in collaboration with the School of Risk and Actuarial Studies at the University of NSW, has developed the COVID-19 Susceptibility Index.
This index provides a score for communities, ranking the risk of severe illness if individuals in these communities were to contract coronavirus, based on the profile of significant co-morbidities - age, cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity and lung disease.
The scale is from zero to 100, with 100 being the highest risk.
When assessing the data, the numbers reveal the MIA and its residents could be at a reasonably high risk should an outbreak occur here.
Leeton shire's ranking was 78, with Griffith's much lower at 68.
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However, Narrandera's was deemed to be 92, Yanco 83, Coleambally 81, Jerilderie 96 and not too far down the road at Urana that community's risk was assessed to be extremely high at 99.
Wagga's index was one of the lowest in the area at 55.
However, the Murrumbidgee Local Health District has said it is equipped to deal with any sort of outbreak in the area, but people still need to be vigilant, especially when being around those who are at a higher risk of being exposed to COVID-19.
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The total of identified COVID-19 patients in the MLHD region remained at 45 on Monday. Of these, there are 42 recovered cases, and currently no hospitalisations.
A total of 5833 people have been tested in the MLHD.
MLHD chief executive Jill Ludford said it was important for any residents with any form of symptom to be tested.
A clinic in Leeton remains open for residents to be tested for COVID-19.
