A further 41 cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed in Hunter New England Local Health District (HNEH) residents in the 24 hours to 8pm last night (Wednesday, September 22).
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Hunter New England Population Health public health physician, Dr David Durrheim said this brings the total number of cases in the district to 562 since August 5, 2021.
Of the new cases:
- 26 are from Lake Macquarie LGA, 7 are from Newcastle LGA, 2 are from Maitland LGA, 2 are from Cessnock LGA, 2 are from Muswellbrook LGA, 1 is from MidCoast LGA and 1 is from Port Stephens LGA.
- Thirteen cases were infectious in the community, sixteen were in isolation for their entire infectious period and twelve are still under investigation.
- Twenty-one cases are linked to known exposures or clusters, six are unlinked, and the source of fourteen cases is under investigation.
Dr Durrheim said HNEH 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 (previously eligibility checker) 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 at 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.
| BP Coolongolook Monday 13 September, from 11am to 11:10am
| BWS, Lake Macquarie Square, Mount Hutton Friday 17 September from 3.50pm to 4.00pm
| Hunter Phone and Computer Doctors, Junction Fair Shopping Centre Friday 10 September, from 4:40pm to 5pm
| IGA Anna Bay
- Sunday 12 September from 3.35pm to 3.45pm
- Monday 13 September from 7.45am to 7.55am and 12.25pm to 12.35pm
| Lake Macquarie Square, Mount Hutton (customers only)
- Saturday 11 September from 9:30am to 11.00am
- Monday 13 September from 9.00am to 10.00am
- Thursday 16 September from 11:30am to 1.00pm
- Saturday 18 September from 9:30am to 10:30am
- Monday 20 September from 8:15am to 9.00am
| Pharmacy 4 Less - Lake Macquarie Square, Mount Hutton Monday 20 September from 8.10am to 8.25am
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, 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-andwellbeing/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.
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.
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