COVID cases in Western NSW reach 117 as army arrives to help with vaccine rollout

Soldiers are being deployed to help with the vaccination push and to enforce safety orders. (ABC News: Isabella Higgins)

There are now 117 active cases of COVID-19 in Western New South Wales as the virus continues to spread to some of the state's most remote communities.

First cases in Narromine, Gilgandra, and Broken Hill are confirmed, while an additional 18 new cases were reported in Dubbo overnight.

Two new cases were reported in Bourke, a region home to many Aboriginal people who were meant to be prioritised for vaccination, though uptake has been low.

Western NSW Local Health District chief executive Scott McLachlan said both Bourke cases were infectious in the community.

"This is a really critical time in Bourke and I know across the rest of the region," he said.

Health authorities have confirmed that First Nations people make up two-thirds of cases in the west, while 40 per cent of cases are children aged 10-19.

One of the two cases in Bourke was airlifted to Dubbo Hospital yesterday.

Scott McLachlan says there are now two cases of COVID-19 in Bourke, pushing the total in the state's west past 100. (ABC Western Plains: Gary-Jon Lysaght)

Boots on the ground

Testing and vaccinations are being ramped up across the region with additional support coming from the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

Western NSW Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner Geoff McKechnie, said ADF personnel would be visible in the community from Wednesday.

Communities like Walgett, Bourke, and Brewarrina can expect the ADF on the ground in the coming days.

Later this week, the ADF will provide medical assistance to more remote areas.

"I'm not sure of the exact numbers, but I'm talking about quite a few people rolling into the region," Assistant Commissioner McKechnie said.

"Getting vaccinations to people who really need it."

CatholicCare Aboriginal men's coordinator James Moore said he thinks sending in the ADF to help the vaccine rollout is a "bit over the edge".

"I think [the state government is] trying hard, but sadly not hard enough given that it's come out into these small communities," he said.

Mr Moore said the community was anxious with cases now confirmed, and the streets of Bourke were much quieter since the announcement.

"There's hardly any traffic around the town and I think people are slowly following the orders," he said.

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