Hunter New England Health testing data released to the Express on Tuesday afternoon show the numbers of tests conducted in Armidale, Tamworth, Glen Innes, Inverell, and Tenterfield local government areas for the week ending on Sunday are all more than double the week prior.

Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall said it had been another very encouraging 24 hours for our region, with no new COVID-19 cases and record numbers of locals tested.

"While we're certainly not in the clear yet, it's a case of so far so good, with none of the close or casual contacts of the three known cases in Armidale having returned a positive result at this stage," Mr Marshall said.

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Health Minister Brad Hazzard announced on Saturday morning that Armidale had recorded two confirmed COVID-19 cases. As a result, the city began a COVID-19 lockdown at 5pm on Saturday.

One of the two cases travelled from Broadmeadow to Armidale on the July 29 XPT regional train service.

A third case was announced on Sunday morning from the same household as the first two cases.

The next 24 hours will be the most crucial, Mr Marshall said, as the remainder of the initial test results for close contacts come back.

"This will determine whether we're simply dealing with one infected household (the three known cases) or something larger, more complex, and more threatening to our community," he said.

"In the meantime, none of us can afford to become complacent. We must keep up the effort, adhere to the stay-at-home rules, get tested and remain calm but stay alert."

Mr Marshall said everyone had done 'an amazing job' so far - from frontline medical staff to contact tracing teams and the community, which has been abiding by the lockdown order and coming forward for testing each day.

"Since the announcement of the Armidale Regional LGA lockdown on Saturday, there have been well over 1,000 residents tested across the city's three clinics each day," he said

"Across the broader region, we're seeing around 2,500 people tested each day, which is a tremendous effort."

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Due to the number of tests being done across the state, it can take up to 48 hours for results to come back.

"In that time, those who have been tested should be adhering to the stay-at-home-order," Mr Marshall said.

"A big thank you to everyone in the region; you are all doing a fantastic job adhering to the lockdown requirements.

"I know this is difficult and frustrating, but if we all do our part, we can come out of this next weekend."

On Tuesday morning, it was announced that to ease pressure and reduce waiting times at COVID-19 testing clinics in Armidale, screening is now available at the Laverty Pathology clinic in Uralla and at the Guyra Multi-Purpose Service (MPS).

Armidale

Armidale Hospital drive-through clinic, operating 9am to 5pm. Appointments are required and can be made by calling 0427 923 080.

Laverty Pathology drive-through clinic at Armidale Regional Airport, operating 8am to 5pm. NO appointments required.

Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology walk-in clinic in Rusden Street, operating 9am to 3pm. NO appointments required.

Guyra

Guyra MPS drive-through clinic, operating 8.30 to 11.30am. Appointments are required and can be made by calling 6738 4000.

Uralla

Laverty Pathology walk-in clinic (on Bridge Street), operating 7.30am to 3.30pm. NO appointments required.

Inverell

Inverell Hospital drive-through clinic, operating 10am to 4pm. NO appointments required.

Laverty Pathology drive-through clinic on Rifle Range Road, operating 7am to 2pm. NO appointments required.

Glen Innes

Glen Innes Hospital drive-through clinic, operating 9am to 4.30pm. Appointments are required and can be made by calling 0438 925 949

A list of the local COVID-19 testing clinics and their operating times can be found on the NSW Government's website.

For information on the lockdown requirements visit the NSW Health website www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/rules/armidale-region-restrictions

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