As the most-populous state records the largest number of cases since the crisis began, governments are refusing to take the measures required to curb mass transmission.
Vaccine rollout to Aboriginal people lags mainstream Australia despite priority status, amid call for Indigenous sport stars to front education campaign.
Vaccinations rates are particularly low among indigenous Australians, but elders were making headway convincing locals to roll up their sleeves in the hope of stopping the outbreak around Dubbo.
Nobody cared until now : Western NSW communities reeling over new COVID cases sbs.com.au - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from sbs.com.au Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Although there are not yet any cases in Brewarrina, more than 760 kilometres from Sydney in north-western NSW, people have tested positive in the neighbouring towns of Walgett and Bourke.