The Mid Coast Local Government Area (LGA) recorded 13 new cases, nine in Taree, three in Forster, one in Glenthorne.

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"The HNEH Public Health Unit is working hard to achieve effective contact tracing to suppress case numbers until we have optimal population protection from vaccination, but we need the community's support to achieve this," Hunter New England Population Health public health physician, Dr David Durrheim said.

"We continue to encourage the community with even the mildest symptoms to get a test from one of the many state or privately run COVID-19 testing clinics providing services across our district.

"We also need anyone who has not been vaccinated to come forward and get the jab as soon as possible, as this is the best way to protect yourself, your loved ones and the frontline health staff who are working tirelessly to protect the wider community from COVID-19."

There are a number of walk-in Pfizer vaccination clinics available across the district this week and bookings are no longer required at Armidale and Tamworth hospital vaccination clinics.

"We are also working closely with community groups and leaders, and in partnership with GPs, pharmacists, Aboriginal Medical Services and organisations like the Royal Flying Doctors Service to identify areas of need and deliver a number of pop up clinics and outreach initiatives," Dr Durrheim said.

The 103 new cases detected in the last reporting period bring the total number of cases in the district to 1995 since August 5, 2021.

Of the new cases:

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.

"We ask that those attending a vaccination clinic wear a mask, bring their Medicare card and ID (drivers licence, student ID)," Dr Durrheim said.

HNEH is continuing to urge people to come forward for vaccination (providing they are not cases, contacts of cases, are not isolating, and do not have symptoms). Bookings can be made via the Commonwealth Government's COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Finder.

The virus that causes COVID-19 was detected in samples from sewage catchments in Tamworth and Singleton on October 11 and Quirindi on October 12.

Dr Durrheim said while there are known cases in the Tamworth and Singleton sewage catchment areas, there are no known cases in the Quirindi sewage catchment area. The community should remain vigilant and get tested with even the mildest of COVID-19 symptoms, such as fever, sore throat, cough or shortness of breath.

All testing sites can be located via www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/health-and-wellbeing/clinics.

New casual contact venue have been confirmed. The latest exposure sites are published on the HNE Health Facebook page and the NSW Government website.

Anyone who attended 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.

| Raymond Terrace Respiratory Clinic, 4 Jacaranda Avenue Raymond Terrace on Tuesday 5 October from 6.55pm - 7.30pm

| Newcastle Obstetrics Specialist Ultrasound, Newcastle Private Hospital, Suite 2.8, Level 2 Lookout Road New Lambton Heights on Monday 11 October from 9.20am - 10am

| The Chemist Cessnock, 52a Vincent Street Cessnock on Tuesday 5 October from 8.30am - 8.40am

| PETQuarters, 58 Shipley Drive Rutherford on Saturday 9 October from 3pm - 3.15pm

| Laverty Pathology, 55 Nelson Street Wallsend on Friday 8 October from 9.40am - 10am

Anyone who attended the following venue on the specified date and time must monitor for symptoms and get tested if symptoms appear.

| Fantastic Furniture, 343 New England Highway, Rutherford on Monday 11 October from 10.05am - 10.30am

NSW Health alerts 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-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.

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