That opinion from one of our top health experts was included in the health advice that saw Armidale's stay at home orders extended for a week.

Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall said he was disappointed that despite our community doing everything asked of it in the last week, a seven-day extension to the Armidale Regional LGA lockdown had just been announced by the Premier.

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But Mr Marshall said he had understood the call, after requesting to see the formal advice provided by NSW Health, on which this decision to extend the lockdown was made.

"There's realistically not much more we could have done - and I appreciate that's what will make this news hard to accept for many people in our region," Mr Marshall said.

Armidale's COVID-19 outbreak started when two positive cases were reported last weekend, and stay at home orders came into force at 5pm on Saturday, August 7.

Last Sunday a third case was reported, followed by a fourth case on Friday, both from the same family as the first two cases.

"There has been no community transmission so far and we've seen more than 5500 people tested, with no other positive results so far," Mr Marshall said. "I note though that we still have many results for locals to come back.

"I understand and accept this decision has been based on advice provided by a number of our state's top health experts and epidemiologists, including Director of Public Health in Hunter New England Local Health District, Professor David Durrheim.

"When I was advised of the decision, I requested to see the formal advice provided by NSW Health, on which this decision to extend the lockdown was made.

"Concerningly, Professor Durrheim believes that we are 'still likely' to see some secondary cases occur, as results continue to come back, from the known positive case, who attended Armidale Secondary College as a student while infectious.

"He also wants to see a minimum of two more sewage samples tested in the next week to establish a trend of results to give confidence that there are no further cases in the region."

Additionally, Professor Durrheim advised, that with an incubation period of up to 14 days, it was "too early to fully understand any transmission pathways".

Lastly, he concluded his advice with the following: "Prematurely lifting the stay at home orders now for Armidale could result in a preventable foreseeable outbreak in the town and spread into vulnerable rural communities. Another week will provide a clearer picture and confidence as to whether the measures should be lifted."

Mr Marshall praised Armidale residents for the results we have achieved so saying there were a real credit to the local community.

"Together we've showed other regions, including Sydney how this is done - adhering to the stay-at-home order, presenting for testing, booking in to get our vaccinations and looking out for one another. A huge thank you to you all.

"Now, it seems, we're not done yet and have some more work to do to satisfy the health experts over the next seven days.

"I realise all too well another week will cause heartache, stress and more inconvenience for many in our region, but if it means we can be absolutely certain we've stopped this outbreak in its tracks and not have to worry about any undetected cases, which could spiral out of control, then that's what we need to do.

"I know that we can and we will do it," he said.

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