A care package has been sent to the Wilkania community as the town is working to contain the COVID-19 outbreak.

Representatives of the remote indigenous community of Wilcania, in the westernmost part of New South Wales, are gathering to distribute the coveted supplies to isolated people.

Six cases of coronavirus were recorded in Wilcania over the past two days, following community transmission at a funeral attended by hundreds of people from across the Western NSW over the weekend.

Farwest LHD confirmed that three new cases recorded Thursday were from two separate families, two of which were school-age children.

160 COVID-19 tests were conducted in Wilcannia on Wednesday and 137 on Thursday.

Food security issues

This outbreak made many community members reluctant to leave the house to collect essentials and household items.

With only one small grocery store, many towns rely on moving more than 200km to the nearest supermarket on Broken Hill.

A member of the community, Sarah Donnelly, has been involved in the community’s response to pandemics.

The school is home to the collection and distribution of home study packages, supermarket orders, and welfare packages.

“There is a large group of people working on food reliability and access to food,” said Ms. Donnelly.

“Community members can order online directly from Woolworths, then stop at the school once a week and the Wilcannia Police and Wilcannia Safehouse will deliver it to people’s doors contactlessly.”

Seek national help

Deputy Prime Minister NSW has announced that the blockade of the region will be extended until at least August 28th.

Ms. Donnelly launched a public initiative to donate welfare packages distributed by the school after hearing that locals were struggling with lack of supplies when ordering to stay home.

“I’ve always sent luggage to my family and friends in Melbourne and Sydney and brought them a bit of joy in the lockdown,” said Ms. Donnelly.

“When people were asking for help and asking what they could do … I started thinking … so we started the initiative …” Hey Wilcannia. You’re not the only one. “

“We’re sending a care package to invite anyone who wants to identify whether it’s an elder, a man, a woman, a child, perhaps a teenager, or a family member.”

The public reaction is already in the spotlight, with up to $ 1,000 in donations and obstructions being distributed to the community through the school over the next few days.

Chronic overcrowding of self-isolation challenges

The Wilkania community has long addressed the lack of telephone and internet services, and the overcrowding crisis of up to 16 people living under one roof.

“When people suddenly find themselves at home, whether because of the confirmed cases or the anxiety and stress around them, there are suddenly many people in the house who can’t go anywhere,” Donnelly said. Said.

Brendon Adams, Wilcania’s community representative and Balkanzi man, said the town relies heavily on the sense of the community through social interaction to care for family and loved ones.

“It’s very important that we stay connected to each other. It’s also our cultural role to take care of us so that we can respect the elders,” said Adams.

Despite cultural, health and isolation challenges, all community leaders sent harsh messages.

“It doesn’t matter if you have four or ten people in your house … isolate them together,” Adams said.

“The message is to take the tests all at the same time and get the results so you know where you are and prevent other family members from coming to your house.

“That is the only way we can overcome all of this.

“We can get the help and support of all the professionals in the world, but without our own responsibility, this will never go away, so it’s ours that makes the difference. It’s a responsibility. “

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume.

clock

Time: 9 minutes 14 seconds9NS