Updated
NSW Health will reinstate all first jab Pfizer bookings at Armidale and Moree.
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It comes as the federal government announced it will send 180,000 additional Pfizer doses to NSW in the next two weeks.
Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall said anyone who received a text message to say their booking had been cancelled will have their appointments reinstated to make sure they are the first to get the new doses.
"I am advised that NSW Health has already begun reinstating these bookings and will advise each person accordingly," he said.
"This will be very welcome news for the hundreds of locals who were inconvenienced and frustrated by the sudden cancellations."
Mr Marshall urged the public to consider the AstraZeneca vaccine if they are eligible to boost protection in the region, after higher levels of the COVID-19 virus have been detected in Armidale's sewage.
"If you are aged 18 to 59 you can contact your doctor today and have a suitability assessment to receive the AstraZeneca vaccines, as soon as an appointment is available," he said.
Sewage testing in Armidale has been ramped up to twice weekly and the Armidale Hospital clinic is continuing to operate extended hours for testing from Monday to Friday between 8:30am and 4:30pm.
Low levels of positive COVID fragments were detected on July 27, which was believed to be Mr Marshall shedding the virus.
Two days later no fragments of the virus were detected, and on August three high levels of positive COVID fragments were detected.
The Laverty Pathology drive-through clinic at Airside Business Park on Cameron Drive is also operating Monday to Friday 8am to 4.30pm. The clinic will operate Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 2.30pm. Appointments are not required.
Earlier
New England police are urging the public to remain vigilant and follow COVID-19 regulations as public health officials believe active cases of COVID-19 could be in Armidale with higher levels of the virus detected in sewage.
Armidale was one of four locations identified by NSW Health on Thursday - along with Dubbo, Woy Woy and Castle Hill - where fragments of the virus were detected in sewage, which means people are either active with the virus or someone in those areas is recovering from COVID-19.
This is the second time the virus fragments have been found in Armidale sewage.
New England Police District Chief Inspector David Cooper said calls to Armidale police regarding current COVID-19 regulations and to report regulation breaches did not increase following last week's finding.
"We've had a continued steady flow of members of the public reporting breaches, and we don't fob them off - we always investigate them," he said.
"This latest announcement might increase this a bit, but we've also been proactive about increasing our presence in public places, and on the whole, most people have been very compliant.
When COVID-19 particles were detected last week, it was the first time the virus had been detected in sewage surveillance programs across the Armidale and Tamworth regions, which have been tested weekly for almost a year.
Hunter New England Health figures indicated testing numbers were either on par or below the previous week.
Armidale Regional Council (ARC) said it will continue to work closely with NSW Health on the matter and confirmed it had not received any official advice from them following Thursday's announcement.
"NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant has today announced that COVID-19 fragments have been detected in Armidale's sewer tests," ARC general manager James Roncon said.
"While it was previously thought the fragments were linked to an old case, the levels detected indicate this may not be the case.
"Though there are currently no active cases of COVID-19 in the Armidale region, we are encouraging the community to not be complacent and get tested, particularly if you are experiencing symptoms."
Mr Roncon stressed it was important that residents remain calm and follow the directions of the Public Health Order.
"Including continuing to wear face masks, socially distance and use sanitiser," he said.
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