A further 13 cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed in Hunter New England Local Health District (HNEH) residents in the 24 hours to 8pm last night (Saturday, September 18).
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HNEH public health physician, Dr Craig Dalton said this brings the total number of cases in the district to 434 since August 5, 2021.
Of the new cases:
- Nine are from Newcastle LGA, three are from Lake Macquarie LGA, and one is from Maitland LGA.
- Nine cases were infectious in the community, two were in isolation for their entire infectious period and two are still under investigation.
- Seven cases are linked to known exposures or clusters, four are unlinked, and the source of two cases is under investigation.
Hunter New England Health continues to urge people to come forward for vaccination (providing they are not cases, contacts of cases, are not isolating, and do not have symptoms). Those aged 12 years and above are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccination. Visit the Commonwealth Government's COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Finder to make a booking.
A number of new casual contact venues have been confirmed. The latest exposure sites are published on the HNE Health Facebook page and the NSW Government website. Anyone who attended any of the following new venues listed on the specified dates and times is a casual contact (unless they have been contacted by NSW Health as close contacts) and must get tested and isolate until a negative test result is received:
| Woolworths Mayfield
Saturday 11 September, from 8.10pm to 8.40pm
Sunday 12 September, from 8.05pm to 8.45pm
| Lake Macquarie Specialist Medical Centre, Gateshead Common (public) areas of the Ground and 2nd floor (entrance, waiting rooms, lifts) Wednesday 8 September, from 8:30am to 9:30am
| Simply Pharmacy, Toronto
Tuesday 14 September, from 4:10pm to 4:30pm
Wednesday 15 September, from 12:15pm to 12:45pm
| PRP Diagnostic Imaging, Adamstown Tuesday 14 September, from 8:20am to 9:30am
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.
Dr Dalton said 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, headache, a change in taste or smell or a new runny nose, should arrange testing as quickly as possible."
All testing sites can be located via www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/health-and-wellbeing/clinics.
Those who have also attended any of the exposure sites listed on the HNE Health Facebook page and the NSW Government website at the specified times and dates should also seek testing, regardless if they have symptoms or not and follow the NSW Health directions.
"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," Dr Dalton said.
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Toni Bell
Manning Great Lakes editor covering mastheads Manning River Times, Great Lakes Advocate, Gloucester Advocate, Wingham Chronicle and the Manning Great Lakes Extra. A journalist for 40 plus years.
Manning Great Lakes editor covering mastheads Manning River Times, Great Lakes Advocate, Gloucester Advocate, Wingham Chronicle and the Manning Great Lakes Extra. A journalist for 40 plus years.
