A further 35 cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed in Hunter New England Local Health District (HNEH) residents in the 24 hours to 8pm last night (Monday, October 18).
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The MidCoast Local Government Area (LGA) recorded six new cases - three in Wingham, two in Taree, one in Glenthorne.
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Hunter New England Population Health public health physician, Dr David Durrheim said this brings the total number of cases in HNEH to 2294 since August 5, 2021. A case reported in yesterday's numbers was a false positive and has been excluded from the total number.
Of the new cases:
- Thirteen are from Lake Macquarie LGA, six are from Mid Coast LGA, five are from Cessnock LGA, four are from Newcastle LGA, four are from Maitland LGA, two are from Tamworth LGA, and one is from Port Stephens LGA.
- Nine cases were in isolation for their entire infectious period, 20 were infectious in the community, and six are still under investigation.
- Eighteen cases are linked to known exposures or clusters, 11 are unlinked, and the source of six cases are under investigation.
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.
Exposure venues
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 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.
| Singleton Gym & Swim (Gym weights floor only), 14-16 Civic Avenue, Singleton
- Wednesday 13 October from 6.15pm to 7.35pm
- Thursday 14 October from 5.20pm to 6.45pm
| New World Tobacconist, Shop 2, 380 High Street, Maitland on Monday 11 October from 7am to 1pm
If you attended the following low-risk venue, please monitor for symptoms and get a test if symptoms are present or develop:
| Honeysuckle Social, 11 Honeysuckle Drive, Newcastle on Wednesday 13 October from 6pm to 8pm
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.
Walk-in vaccination clinics available across the District this week
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 and there are also a number of walk-in clinics available:
Cessnock Hospital
- Foster Street entrance on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 October from 9am to 1pm
- Walk-in Pfizer and Astra Zeneca appointments available
- Open to those aged 12 years and over
- Children aged 15 years and younger must be accompanied by a parent/guardian aged over 18 years
Narrabri Winanga-Li Aboriginal Child and Family Centre
- 35 Hinds Street, Narrabri on Thursday 4 November from 10am to 2.30pm
- Walk-in Pfizer appointments available
- Open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 12 years and older, including non-Aboriginal partners and household members
- Those aged 12-15 years must be accompanied by an adult
Wallsend Community Health
- Ross Gribble Room, Shields Lane on Tuesday October 19 from 10am - 2pm
- Walk-in Pfizer and Astra Zeneca appointments available
- Open to those aged 12 years and over
- Those aged 12-15 years must be accompanied by an adult
West Wallsend
- Sugar Valley Neighbourhood Centre, 66 Carrington Street West Wallsend
- Thursday October 21 from 10:30am - 1:30pm
- Walk-in Pfizer and Astra Zeneca appointments available
- Open to those aged 12 years and over
- Those aged 12-15 years must be accompanied by an adult
"We ask that those attending a vaccination clinic wear a mask, bring their Medicare card and ID (drivers licence, student ID)," Dr Durrheim said.
Vaccination rates across the district
According to data from the Federal Government, vaccination rates continue to rise per LGA, however it is essential that people come forward for their second dose, Dr Durrheim said.
The district continues to work alongside general practitioners, pharmacists, Aboriginal Medical Services and other community groups to increase vaccination rates across the district, he said.
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