Health officials have, for the first time, a clear picture of how coronavirus arrived and spread throughout western New South Wales.
The Western Local Health District has collated data from recent weeks and found that of the 45 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the area, most were contracted from overseas or from contact with others who had been overseas.
But it did show there had also been one case of community transmission.
The health district's chief executive, Scott McLachlan, said this case revealed just how easily the virus could have spread through casual contact.
"It tells me that any day of the week, it's just a cough or sneeze away from someone you don't know around you transmitting this virus," he said.
There are no active cases of COVID-19 in western NSW and 44 people have recovered from the infection.
Last month, one person from Orange died from the virus.
Tackling hot spots in the west
Health officials have worked to stop the virus spreading to remote communities in the western part of the state.
Mr McLachlan said his team had feared a hot spot of cases around Orange would spread westward, but firm social distancing has stopped this from happening.
"That was our real concern — the virus getting into a lot of our northern communities and into our really vulnerable populations," he said.
During the past two months almost 5,000 tests have been completed but he hoped to see more.
"Now that's a good number, but it's time for us to step it up."
Stay at home
Wellington man, Jayson O'Brien, warned the community not to get complacent about social distancing.
Mr O'Brien was treated this month for COVID-19 at Dubbo Base Hospital and has since made a full recovery.
"If you have this virus, you could spread it to 100 people, and you don't want that on your conscience," he said.
Mr O'Brien self-isolated for 14 days after disembarking from the ill-fated Ruby Princess cruise ship.
When his test results returned positive, he realised immediately knew just how important it was to stay at home to help protect his community.
"It's not pleasant, but it's necessary," he said.
"There is always hope and if we believe we can get past this, we will."
