That was the message the Director of Public Health for the Nepean Blue Mountains Public Health Unit, Victor Carey had for Lithgow residents after news broke of a resident contracting COVID-19.

After contact tracing was followed up, the identification of a number of venues where the case had spent time unknowingly were notified.

Dr Carey said sometimes that happens, that people don't realise they have COVID-19 and still go out, which is why Lithgow needs to stay vigilant.

Coles, Aldi, Llithgow Medical Clinic and Westend Newsagency were all recognised.

"We issued some advice about those venues, which is for people who were there at that specified time to get tested and isolate until they get a negative result," Dr Carey said.

"Anyone with any concerns or any mild symptoms of course should get tested and that applies to anyone."

Dr Carey said that once you have a case in your local area, it is even more reason to be hyper vigilant and at any suspicion at all, individuals should seek to isolate, have a test and wait for the negative result.

"Because that's the thing to delta variants, its highly infectious and we've seen that across Sydney and now in the Central West and it's difficult to contain," he said.

"The only way we can contain it is by having really good awareness and swabbing, even when people think they only have some mild illness and that way they can isolate. So that way we can then go and identify the people that have been in contact and advise them to isolate them as well."

Dr Carey said Lithgow was 'fortunate' to have a 'great' clinic at Lithgow Hospital, which is currently open seven days a week, with extended hours as well as a pop up clinic at Tony Luchetti Oval.

The doctor went on to say that the long term strategy for tackling COVID-19 was immunisation.

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"I think everyone that is able to get immunised against COVID should get immunised," he said.

"Immunisation, we know that it's effective at preventing serious illness and that's really what we want to do is prevent serious illness in the individual.

"But I would urge everyone to seek vaccination. I say that to my community. I say that to my family, my friends. Anyone I come across, I say get immunised."

Dr Carey said that people need to understand the importance of vaccination.

"It's probably the two things I think, will enable us to, to deal with this current outbreak," he said.

"One is a higher awareness of symptoms and getting swabs at the sight of symptoms so that we can identify people who are infected, and they can isolate the community. And the reason they do that, is so they don't spread it to their friends, their family, the community in general.

"This is the first thing people have the power to do and that's actually a big responsibility, but it's empowering people, people are able to do that.

"And the second thing, is having people really willing to step forward and get immunised, once the immunisation rates get high enough, we'll see a reduction in serious illness in the community."

According to Dr Carey, there have been many factors as to why regional communities have been spared of the virus up until this point.

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"Once you have the introduction of virus through whatever means into the community, it requires a lot of vigilance. A lot of cooperation from the community, to control the market. That's what's called for," he said.

"From what I've heard, people in Lithgow have really come forward for testing at the hospital and that's so important, one case being recognised could lead to others and identifying them very quickly. It's important so that we can prevent onward spread."

After getting vaccinated, most residents have been feeling the common side effects of sore arms, fatigue, head aches and more but Dr Carey said it was all symptomatic.

"If you have some pain or headache you can take Panadol you know, simple pain relief and rest, making sure you have plenty of fluids," he said.

"Some people have no reaction, others have very mild reactions and others somewhat more. This can occur for 48 hours but that duration shouldn't deter people.

"It didn't affect me at all. My 87 year-old father, he was fine. My young brother it affected in a different way. Generally, symptomatic treatment occurs within 24 hours and then it generally resolves.

"Should anyone be concerned though they should contact their general practitioner and have a discussion."

Dr Carey also wanted to remind people to stay calm.

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"People become a bit fearful when they hear that it's in their community, especially if it's been in the community, which has been relatively fair.

"Just be aware and respond appropriately. If you have been to a location where someone with COVID attended, then isolate, get tested and then wait for your results."

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