The first local case since the start of the pandemic was announced on Thursday morning.
The person was a patient at Deniliquin Hospital, and has since been transferred to Melbourne.
In the days that followed, Deniliquin and district residents turned out in droves to get tested.
A further two positive COVID-19 cases, who were reported to be close contacts of the original local case, were confirmed on Saturday.
Testing continued in Deniliquin yesterday.
The local area’s initial COVID patient presented to Deniliquin Hospital after the reporting period on Wednesday night, causing health authorities to attribute the case to Thursday’s detections and to assign it to the Edward River LGA on Friday.
Murrumbidgee Local Health District reported the case along with seven new MLHD cases in Friday’s numbers, including one at Griffith LGA, five at Hilltops LGA, and one — the case cared for at Deniliquin — unassigned.
In the early hours of Friday morning the patient was transported to Melbourne for care.
Pop up COVID testing clinics from Murrumbidgee Local Health District conducted more than 300 tests between Friday morning and Sunday afternoon.
The Deniliquin Respiratory Clinic expanded its testing hours on Thursday and Friday to help with the testing effort. Its testing numbers were not known at the time of going to print yesterday.
MLHD thanked staff and Edward River residents for being vigilant.
‘‘We also thank everyone who has come forward for a test for your patience, and appreciate the kindness and support you have shown for one another at this time,” an MLHD statement said.
To meet the demand for extra testing, MLHD had its testing facilities set up at the Deniliquin Hardinge St Oval by Friday morning.
Edward River Council staff provided traffic control on both Ochtertyre and Macauley Sts.
Testing returned to the rear of Deniliquin Hospital by Saturday.
The positive cases sent shock waves through the community, which was evident by the almost empty Deniliquin CBD on Friday.
Many shops and businesses closed as a precaution, while the district awaited the results of initial testing.
No new cases were identified in Edward River on Sunday or Monday.
Contract tracers have been working through a list of potential areas of concerns since Wednesday evening, with only eight Deniliquin businesses confirmed to be impacted so far.
MLHD’s Public Health Unit also confirmed that Ochre Health Medical Centre in Deniliquin was an exposure site, and that it was working to identify casual contacts at the practice.
MLHD has said if there are any more areas of concern to be announced, they would be released as they are confirmed.In a letter to residents on Friday, Edward River Council Mayor Norm Brennan asked residents to ‘‘take all necessary precautions’’ by getting tested and isolating if they had been at exposure sites or had symptoms.
‘‘I would like to urge council residents not to panic — we knew this day would come and we have been very fortunate to have remained COVID-free for so long,’’ Cr Brennan said.
He urged anyone who hasn’t already booked in for a vaccine to do so to help protect themselves and others.
According to the Australian Government Department of Health’s update yesterday, 60.3 per cent of eligible residents in the Edward River region have had a single dose of vaccine and 45 per cent are double vaccinated.
The same report showed that more than 95 per cent of eligible Murray River Council residents have had a first dose, and 80.2 per cent are full vaccinated.
For COVID-19 testing locations, go to www.mlhd.nsw.gov.au or call the Murrumbidgee COVID-19 Hotline 1800 831 099.
Vaccinations are available at GPs, pharmacies and MLHD vaccination clinics. Check your eligibility at https://covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility.
Testing and vaccinations are also available at the Deniliquin Respiratory Clinic. Book at hotdoc.com.au or call (03) 9087 9375 during office hours.
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