The first positive cases of COVID-19 recorded in the Indigenous outback town of Wilcannia have been cleared after their isolation period by NSW Health.
Barkindji elder Ann Currie, known as Aunty Dodie, was among the first in her community to contract the virus.
She has received an official clearance letter from NSW Health, but says she still feels weak after the ordeal.
"I was a fit, healthy woman — now I'm finding that I'm getting short of breath when I walk … I wasn't like that before," Ms Currie said.
"The period of time when I was locked down with the virus I couldn't eat a thing, I had a little pick sometimes, but otherwise I couldn't eat.
Down by the river
The clearance certificate means Ms Currie can leave her house for essential reasons, including to be close to the Darling Baaka River.
"Just being able to go back to the river and sit there for a little bit and to see it flowing it was really important for me," she said.
Wilcannia Aboriginal Land Council chair Michael Kennedy said he and his partner were fully vaccinated when they caught the virus.
He said his daughters, two and 10, had recovered well.
"The kids pulled through it really good, they just got weak and lethargic at times, a bit sick in the belly at times, but they handled it really well," he said.
Mr Kennedy said the Baaka was a huge source of the community's strength and identity.
"To know that we can get out and even go down the river just for the mental side of it feels good."
More support on the way
The town has now recorded 82 infections and hundreds of close contacts are under isolation orders.
More than two thirds of Wilcannia are now partially vaccinated and more than 30 motorhomes are due to arrive in the coming days to help positive patients safely isolate.
The RFS and ADF are working to establish a pop-up emergency management hub in Wilcannia made of tents and demountable buildings, which should be fully functional by the beginning of next week.
Rural Fire Service Western Area Commander, Chief Superintendent Tim Butcher, said the facility was being built to house frontline staff and volunteer crews.
"We have 10 crews setting up the base camp and there'll be four crews based there," he said.
"So health workers, ADF and police have appropriate and suitable accommodation near Wilcannia so they can focus on helping the community get through this pandemic."
