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Overcrowded housing and long waits for testing results in the Far Western, majority Indigenous town of Wilcannia is hampering efforts to contain the fast spread of the virus here. As the outbreak grows Wilcannia recorded six new cases* of the virus overnight bringing the total number of cases in the Far West NSW district to 49**. It comes as locals are concerned the actual number of infections in the vulnerable town of 750 people could be higher than what daily figures are showing. Reports have emerged there were major delays in the returning of test results with swabs failing to be processed over the weekend. Isolating positive cases at home is proving an additional challenge to reducing transmission where in many cases up to ten family members live together. A shortage of basic supplies is creating additional worry for the remote at-risk community.

*Update Aug 26: 5 new cases, Wilcannia (49)
** Total cases, Far West region (55)

Produced By: Tahlia Kraefft

Featured In Story: Bob Steward, Administrator at Central Darling Shire Council

First aired on The Wire, Wednesday 25 August 2021