COVID-19 cases continue to rise in Leeton shire

Just before Christmas Leeton recorded its first ever coronavirus cases for the first time during the pandemic.

However, residents have been told not to panic and to continue being diligent where possible.

This includes getting vaccinated, booking in for a booster shot, wearing a mask when indoors or where social distancing isn't possible, proper hand hygiene and staying home if unwell.

Access to testing does continue to be an issue in the shire, however the Leeton Community Health's site for a PCR test is back open again this week. Bookings are recommend, while rapid antigen tests are also in short supply.

Those who are fortunate enough to access a rapid test and test positive to the virus will be required to self-report this result to NSW Health later this week.

The NSW government is currently in the process of setting up an online portal for residents to report a positive result, as well as a phone number.

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It will be a requirement to do so if a positive result is given via a rapid test.

It comes as a Riverina resident died from COVID-19 over the weekend.

An even 500 cases of the virus were detected in the Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) in the 24 hours to 8pm Sunday, NSW Health has confirmed.

The MLHD is also managing an outbreak at Temora Hospital, where four people have been diagnosed with COVID.

Vaccination for children aged between 5 and 11 also began in NSW on Monday morning.

The federal government's online vaccine clinic finder can be used to locate a clinic and book a jab.

For further testing locations across the region, go to www.mlhd.health.nsw.gov.au, or for help accessing a test, call the Murrumbidgee COVID-19 Hotline 1800 831 099.

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