Indigenous man becomes first COVID-19 death linked to outbreak in western NSW

An Aboriginal man in Dubbo has become the first person to die from COVID-19 amid the current outbreak in western New South Wales. 

Western NSW Local Health District CEO Scott McLachlan said on Monday the man in his 50s had underlying health conditions and wasn't vaccinated.

He died at a Dubbo health service. 

“A very sad and sombre day today with the passing of a 50â€"year-old Aboriginal man in Dubbo,” Mr McLachlan said at a press conference. 

“Our sincere sympathies and thoughts go out to the family and friends and the broader Aboriginal community across Dubbo and the whole of the region.”

The state recorded 1,290 COVID-19 cases in the 24 hours to 8pm on Sunday, and three more deaths in Sydney. The new deaths bring Australia's COVID-19 toll past 1,000.

Western NSW recorded 51 new cases, with 14 known to be infectious while in the community. The far west recorded a further nine new infections, including seven in Wilcannia. 

"There couldn't be a more timely day to be focusing on vaccination," Mr McLachlan said.

"This gentleman was not vaccinated, we know people will die if the vaccines don't get into arms. 

"This is time for us all to step up, get the jab, get double jabbed - don't mess around any longer ... there's vaccination opportunities available across the GP's, Aboriginal medical services, our vaccination hubs."

Dubbo local member Dugald Saunders said only 3,650 tests were conducted across the region on Sunday. 

"A really low number considering where we are heading with numbers at the other end of the scale," he said.

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