coronavirus, coronavirus, covid-19, wagga, gundagai, cootamundra, griffith, riverina, news

Wagga has had confirmation of two positive coronavirus cases. There have been a further nine cases of COVID-19 identified in the Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD), taking the total number of positive COVID-19 results to 10. NSW health authorities have confirmed 211 new coronavirus infections, taking the state's total to 1029. The new cases of COVID-19 - located in Wagga, Albury, Griffith, Cootamundra-Gundagai and Federation local government areas - were confirmed on Tuesday afternoon. The updated information was released by the health district on Wednesday morning. There are three new cases in the Albury local government area. With one case previously confirmed at the weekend, this takes the Albury total to four. The Griffith, Cootamundra-Gundagai and Federation local government areas have also each recorded a single positive case. It is not yet clear how many cases have been confirmed in each individual area. According to the Murrumbidgee Local Health District, all cases notified were diagnosed after travelling overseas or being in contact with a confirmed case. All patients have experienced mild to moderate symptoms and are in self-isolation to ensure they do not transmit the virus. They are being managed at home with the support of their GP and a daily check up with local health services, according to the MLHD. The MLHD public health unit interviews the person to determine their movements while they were infectious. Where individuals are identified as close contacts, the public health unit directs these contacts to self-isolate for 14 days after they were last in contact with the case. Practicing hand hygiene and social distancing remain the most effective ways to reduce transmission of the virus. MLHD recommends community members to follow NSW Health advice around social distancing and self-isolation to slow the spread of the virus. Reducing contact between people unless absolutely necessary, especially those in our population who may be more vulnerable or susceptible to the illness because of age or weakened immunity, is critical to slowing the spread and impact of COVID-19. The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, sore throat and dry cough. Symptoms will generally appear 3-4 days after exposure to the virus but can be up to 14 days later. Members of the public are advised to minimise travel, increase personal awareness around hand hygiene and practice social distancing. Anyone who believes they have may have contracted the COVID-19 virus (ie: who are returned travellers, or who have come in contact with a confirmed case and are showing symptoms: fever, sore throat, dry cough and shortness of breath) are advised in the first instance to: Avoiding crowds and mass gatherings avoiding small gatherings in enclosed spaces keep a distance of 1.5 metres between themselves and other people avoiding shaking hands, hugging, or kissing other people avoiding visiting vulnerable people, such as those in aged care facilities or hospitals. MLHD and MPHN encourage members of the public who need information to visit the NSW Health website. We have removed our paywall from our stories about coronavirus. This is a rapidly changing situation and we aim to make sure our readers are as informed as possible. If you would like to support our journalists you can subscribe here.

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