Hunter New England Health is providing care and support to five people confirmed to have COVID-19 in the Hunter district, including two females in their 20s, one male in their 20s, and two children aged 8 and 11.
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HNEH is also aware of a male in his 30s who has tested positive and resides on the Central Coast that is linked to this cluster.
HNEH is contacting close contacts of all confirmed cases and are asking them to be tested and self-isolate for 14 days from last contact.
"While the source of infection for these cases continues to be investigated, we now know of a gathering on Blacksmith Beach on Friday night, which is believed to be the source of infection for the initial cases," Dr David Durrheim, Public Health Physician, Hunter New England Population Health said.
To protect the people of NSW from the evolving COVID-19 outbreak, new restrictions will be introduced for the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Port Stephens, Singleton, Dungog, Muswellbrook and Cessnock LGAs from 5pm today until 12.01am Friday, August 13.
The restrictions apply to people who live in the listed LGAs, or who have visited the LGAs on or since Saturday, July 31.
The rules in place for these areas are the same that are already in place across Greater Sydney, including the Central Coast.
Everyone in these areas must stay at home unless it is for an essential reason. They also cannot have visitors in their home. This applies to all social visits from those outside your household, including family and friends.
People still can have one visitor at one time to fulfil carers' responsibilities or provide care or assistance, or for compassionate reasons, including where two people are in a relationship but do not live together.
Two of the confirmed cases are students at Maitland Christian School, which will be closed for cleaning today. NSW Health and the Department of Education will be contacting students and families today with further advice.
Anyone who attended the following venues on the specified dates are urged to get tested and isolate until a negative test result is received.
Auchmuty Library at University of Newcastle on July 30, 2021 from 5pm to 11pm
Target at Glendale shopping village on August 1, 2021 from 8.50am to 1pm
More exposure sites will be announced as investigations continue.
