The tiny town of Ivanhoe in the New South Wales far west has seen more than five per cent of its residents test positive to COVID-19 in a single day.
Twelve locals in a population of less than 200 tested positive to the virus overnight, with that number expected to increase over the coming days.
Health authorities are investigating the source of the outbreak in the town, located 185km south-east of Wilcannia, but it is believed a woman travelled from outside the area to the community for a football function at the RSL last week.
Along with the RSL, the post office, motel, pub, petrol station and school are all closed, with students, teachers and parents all being asked to get tested and isolate until further notice.
"As far as I'm aware there's 12 in Ivanhoe at the moment across 11 different households," Central Darling Shire general manager Greg Hill said.
Business owner Josh Robertson, who has contracted the virus, said people and health services were "caught off guard".
"We're all expecting it to get here one day," he said.
"We just sort of didn't think it would've been yet.
"[The COVID testing clinic was] pretty flat-out Saturday and yesterday.
"Saturday, they had to turn people a few people around because I think they were caught off guard a bit.
"I think they were short-staffed, but they've done a pretty good job.
Food supply concerns
Mr Robertson said it could be a struggle to get supplied to the isolated town.
"The freight people from Hay, they've called their trips off this week so there will be no fresh milk or bread or meat," he said.
Mr Hill confirmed the council was distributing food and welfare packs in the community.
He said transport companies had been contacted in a bid to address food supply issue.
"We're just looking at different options at the present moment," Mr Hill said.
No staff from the Far West Local Health District were available for comment.
