4PM UPDATE: A COVID-positive inmate bailed from Bathurst Correctional Centre in NSW's Central West on Monday is now living in Walgett in the state's north.
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Corrective Services NSW confirmed on Wednesday that a 27-year-old inmate had arrived at Bathurst Correctional Centre on Saturday and was COVID-tested as part of the department's protocols.
He was released on bail on Monday before returning a positive test on Wednesday.
The Western Advocate understands it is the same man identified this afternoon by Western NSW Local Health District as a COVID-positive case in Walgett.
"The person was tested on 7 August, returning a positive result today. They are considered to have potentially been infectious from 5 August," a spokesperson said.
"The person is also known to have been in Dubbo and Bathurst during their infectious period.
"Investigations and contact tracing are under way."
Western NSW Local Health District has urged anyone with COVID-19 symptoms to come forward for testing.
Additional testing capacity will be provided in Walgett on Thursday.
Additional testing also available at the Mount Panorama testing clinic in Bathurst and at testing clinics in Dubbo.
For information on pop-up testing services currently operating in the Western NSW Local Health District go to: https://wnswlhd.health.nsw.gov.au/covid-19-information
EARLIER: CONTACT tracing is under way among staff at the Bathurst Correctional Centre in NSW's Central West following confirmation a new inmate at the facility has tested positive to COVID-19.
A spokeswoman for Corrective Services NSW said the jail had been placed in a precautionary lockdown on Wednesday and a number of inmates had been placed in isolation.
"Bathurst Correctional Centre has today (Wednesday August 11, 2021) been placed into a precautionary lockdown after receiving a positive COVID-19 test result from a fresh custody inmate," the spokeswoman said.
"The CSNSW COVID command post is working with staff to identify anyone who has had contact with the inmate.
"A number of inmates have been placed into isolation as a result.
"Contract tracing has commenced for any impacted staff, who will be directed to go for immediate COVID-19 testing and isolate in accordance with NSW Health advice."
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The spokeswoman said the safety of all staff and inmates was "our number one priority and remains at the forefront of our decision-making while COVID-19 continues to pose a risk".
Western NSW Local Health District has been contacted for comment but is not able to make a statement just yet.
They would not answer at this stage if the COVID-positive inmate had been in the Bathurst community since being released and Monday, nor whether he was now in isolation.
