Moree COVID-19: mayor Katrina Humphries slams lack of health information as new cases announced and contact lists grow

Moree Plains Shire mayor Katrina Humphries has slammed what she describes as a lack of transparency and communication, claiming the only information she has is second-hand through social media and from the "bush telegraph" of residents.

"The bush has been left to look after itself yet again and thank god we do because no one else seems to give a stuff," she told the Leader.

Hunter New England Health (HNEH) announced two new cases in Moree in the last two days, but confirmed on Wednesday that more infections have been discovered since the 8pm deadline.

Health authorities have not yet listed any exposure sites in the area, though HNEH confirmed there could be dozens of close contacts forced into isolation after house parties in Moree last week.

"Anyone who attended evening house parties on Adelaide Street or Barwon Avenue in Moree on Thursday, October 28, is a close contact," HNEH said.

"Anyone who attended a celebration at the aero club in Moree on Saturday, October 30, is also a close contact."

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Moree has had four consecutive positive sewage detections in the past two weeks and tragically a confirmed casual contact exposure at a funeral last Thursday, which HNEH said the new cases are linked to.

Ms Humphries said she was appalled the community had not been given regular updates or any extra resources at this stage, despite a predicted surge in numbers and what she claimed was a promise to open another testing clinic if cases cropped up.

She said local staff had been working "horrendous hours" to test everyone at clinics.

When asked what she needed health authorities to do for Moree as the situation unfolds, she replied: "pull their finger out".

"Everybody is shrugging their shoulders and saying what do we do?" she said.

"If there is a lack of information, speculation runs rife."

Ms Humphries described it as a bittersweet relief to know where the cases are in the community following the positive sewage detections.

Anyone with even the mildest of COVID-19 symptoms is urged to come forward for testing, while close and casual contacts must follow strict advice from NSW Health.

Ms Humphries encouraged people not yet vaccinated to seek a jab, but said there had been plenty of opportunity for everyone in the Moree Plains Shire to get a dose.

Vaccination rates in Moree have not yet hit the 80 per cent double dose milestone.

HNEH public health physician Dr David Durrheim asked residents in the Moree and Inverell areas to get vaccinated, tested and follow health advice as the risk of community transmission in the towns increases.

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