Health authorities warn of Riverina COVID-19 exposure sites

NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the potentially infectious worker in Temora had followed all the rules. Photo: Supplied.

Venues in the small Riverina town of Temora, as well as nearby village Beckom, have been confirmed as COVID-19 exposure sites after a potentially infected railway worker passed through the region.

The Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) has confirmed exposure sites in Temora and Beckom on Monday, 16 August, and Tuesday, 17 August, 2021.

A MLHD spokesperson said a person from outside the district, who was working in Temora, visited the locations while potentially infectious.

“The person was asymptomatic and is an essential worker who undergoes regular routine testing,” said the spokesperson.

“They are now isolating outside of the Murrumbidgee Local Health District.”

NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the railway worker had been following the rules and had been tested before travelling to the region as an essential employee.

Anyone who attended the following venues on the specified dates and times are casual contacts and must get tested and isolate until a negative test result is received:

• Temora Shell Service Station – 16 August, 6:15 am to 6:30 am.
• Temora French Hot Bread – 16 August, 6:15 am to 6:35 am; and 17 August, 5:55 am to 6:10 am.
• BP Beckom Roadhouse – 16 August, 1:10 pm to 1:35 pm; and 17 August, 9:40 am to 9:55 am.
• Wylies Newsagency, Temora – 16 August, 4:35 pm to 4:50 pm.

Venues are currently being assessed by the Public Health Unit to ensure accurate assessment of risk for staff, and to determine if any had close contact with the case.

SMS messages will be sent to people who checked in with the QR code.

Health officials are also urging anyone in Temora or Beckom, or who has been in Temora or Beckom recently, to get tested if they have even the slightest symptoms, and to isolate until they receive a negative result.

Testing is available today (Tuesday, 24 August) in Wagga Wagga, and MLHD will deploy mobile testing facilities tomorrow (Wednesday, 25 August).