Indigenous people more at risk during coronavirus pandemic

When cases of COVID-19 began spreading across NSW there was fear and misunderstanding, Western NSW Local Health District (LHD) executive director Aboriginal health and wellbeing Brendon Cutmore said.

"In the beginning, there was a lot of fear and panic ... Aboriginal people fall into a higher risk and they're also a higher priority," he said.

"In times like this it can be really overwhelming to people, you can be overwhelmed by the 'what ifs'. We are worried, I think everyone is worried."

To date there have been 45 diagnosed cases of COVID-19 in the Western NSW LHD, including one death. No new cases have been diagnosed since April 19.

While there are no longer any active virus cases in the region, Mr Cutmore said health workers are concerned about what would happen if COVID-19 began spreading in the region's Aboriginal communities.

"It's really easy to think that a blanket approach works, but each Aboriginal community has their own way of working," he said.

"Social distancing and staying at home can often go against the grain of what Aboriginal communities do.

"In times of trauma we're used to galvanising - coming together and sticking together."

Mr Cutmore said health officials are working in partnership with elders and Aboriginal medical services to make sure Indigenous communities are given the information that they need amid the pandemic.

"I'm really proud of a lot of our community and the initiatives they've taken to keep their community safe," he said.

"We're urging them not to be frozen by the panic or fear and to get the message out about how the individual protects their community and protects their family."

Mr Cutmore said where necessary community leaders have escalated issues within their community to health providers, council or the police.