Today's announcement by NSW Health that fragments of the Covid virus have been detected in a sample from the Gunnedah Sewage Treatment Plant is a stern reminder we need to do the right thing, Gunnedah Mayor Jamie Chaffey said.
This is the first time the virus has been detected in a Gunnedah sample.
"This is news that no one will be happy to hear, but it is good to get an early warning for our community," Cr Chaffey said.
"It is a strong reminder for us to follow the restrictions, get tested if we have symptoms, and to get vaccinated. I can't emphasise that enough. We have been lucky to date, but we need to take steps to remain that way.
"If you have been hesitant about getting vaccinated, it's time to stop waiting, come forward and protect both yourselves, your family and your community.
"I know our GP clinics and more recently our pharmacies have been working extraordinarily hard to ensure as many people are vaccinated as possible. They can't work any harder than they do.
"I hope this will signal to Hunter New England that our community needs more opportunities to get vaccinated. We need Hunter New England Health to provide regular walk-up opportunities for people to get their vaccinations - whatever their age, circumstances or work rosters - to increase our rate of protection. We are still in a vulnerable position in Gunnedah should an outbreak occur."
Cr Chaffey said Gunnedah's vaccination rates were rising, with the latest figures (August 27) showing 52.8% of the population in the Gunnedah Shire aged 15 and over had received one dose, while 26.5% were fully vaccinated. The Tamworth figures are 57.4% for the first dose (aged 15 and over) and 30.3% for the second dose.
"This is positive, but the rate of vaccination needs to grow significantly," Cr Chaffey said.
Hunter New England Health are hosting AstraZeneca vaccination clinics across the Gunnedah Shire on the following dates:
• Curlewis - Saturday 11 September from 9am
• Tambar Springs - Saturday 18 September from 10am
• Carroll - Saturday 25 September from 9am
• Rural Health Centre, Gunnedah - Saturday 16 October from 10am
• Curlewis - Saturday 23 October from 9am
• Tambar Springs - Saturday 30 October from 10am
• Carroll - Saturday 6 November from 9am
