Hunter New England Population Health public health physician, David Durrheim said a patient from the Port Stephens local government area (LGA), who is linked to previously reported cases in Sydney, has been in isolation throughout their infectious period in a Sydney hospital.

The second case to be detected in the 24 hours to 8pm Thursday night (August 26) has been infectious in the community and lives in the Cessnock LGA.

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Dr Durrheim said the source of this case is currently investigated. "Neither are linked to the aged care and disability care clusters or the Costco cluster."

This brings the total number of cases in the district to 170 since August 5, 2021.

NSW Health contacts close contacts of all confirmed cases and directs them to be tested and self-isolate for 14 days from last contact, regardless of the result.

Anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms such as fever, sore throat, cough or shortness of breath, is urged to immediately get tested. Even people with mild symptoms, such as fatigue, new muscle aches or pains, a change in taste or smell or a new runny nose, should arrange testing as quickly as possible.

Testing sites can be located via https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/health-and-wellbeing/clinics.

Dr Durrheim said it is also important that anyone who is currently isolating in the community with COVID-19, calls for an ambulance should they experience a deterioration in their condition, including breathlessness and dizziness.

Hunter New England Health continues to urge eligible people to come forward for vaccination (providing they are not cases, contacts of cases, are not isolating, and do not have symptoms). People can check their eligibility and make bookings via the Commonwealth Government's eligibility checker.

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