Dubbo MP Dugald Saunders has called for the council area to be listed as a COVID-19 hotspot.
There are 142 cases of COVID-19 in the Western NSW local health district, with 21 confirmed cases being recorded today in Dubbo, along with one in Mudgee and one in Bourke.
Mr Saunders said he has called on the state government to raise the area's classification.
"I do believe the Premier and Cabinet will be extremely supportive of that measure.
"And as other areas within our health district need the same sort of support, I will certainly be advocating for that.
"That [hotspot declaration] will bring into play things like the Isolate Payment, which I know is affecting quite a few people."
Western NSW Health boss Scott McLachlan said people should stay at home unless absolutely necessary as the majority of today's cases have been infectious in the community.
"Around 40 per cent are kids between the ages of 10 and 19."
Sewage testing has also found COVID-19 fragments at Bathurst and Orange.
Concerns for Bourke
Another case has since been confirmed in Bourke which has a high population of Aboriginal people.
Bourke Shire Mayor Barry Hollman said he is concerned with today's case reported at Alice Edwards Village, which is home to about 40 residents.
"We've had both our supermarkets close yesterday to be cleaned because we had suspected cases go there.
"The manager of our pharmacy got tested and he had to isolate for 14 days.
"He's understaffed at the chemist, and that's the type of place we need up and running all the time because it's a valuable resource in your town.
"That's some of the things this virus can do to small communities. It can be quite devastating."
Delayed test results
Reports of delayed test results are continuing.
Mr McLachlan said there were more than 5,000 tests done in Dubbo in the 24 hours prior, and that some pathology labs are under pressure.
"What we've done is to bring in some more rapid testing capability. We're also putting on some extra courier services to get the tests to the labs.
"There might be a longer wait for those."
Bizarre regional trip
A man who flew into New South Wales from Queensland, hired a car, and travelled through regional areas has been fined $1,000 for a COVID breach.
He was fined at Mendooran, a small community north-east of Dubbo, after his car hit a kangaroo.
Police reported the man went travelling because he was "sick of COVID".
Commander of Western Region NSW Police, Geoff McKechnie, said the event occurred in his home town and was very concerning.
