A further 74 cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed in Hunter New England Local Health District (HNEH) residents in the 24 hours to 8pm last night (Wednesday, October 21).
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This includes eight recorded in the MidCoast Local Government Area (LGA) - four in Taree, one in Cundletown, one in Killabakh, one in Purfleet, one in Hawks Nest.
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Hunter New England Population Health public health physician, Dr David Durrheim said the cases in the district are a concern.
"I think we have every reason to be concerned, particularly if we follow the pattern that we have seen in the last two weeks with a large proportion of the cases actually unlinked," Dr Durrheim said.
The total number of cases in the district since August 5 is 2429.
Of the new cases:
- Twenty three are from Newcastle LGA, 15 are from Maitland LGA, 12 are from Lake Macquarie LGA, nine are from Cessnock LGA, eight are from Mid Coast LGA, four are from Port Stephens LGA and three are from Tamworth LGA.
- Fourteen cases were in isolation for their entire infectious period, 30 were infectious in the community, and 30 are still under investigation.
- Thirty five cases are linked to known exposures or clusters, nine are unlinked, and the source of 30 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.
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.
"We ask that those attending a vaccination clinic wear a mask, bring their Medicare card and ID (drivers licence, student ID)," Dr Durrheim said.
Cameron Park
- The Canopy, Pasterfield Community Centre
- 18C Horizon Ave on Tuesday 26 October from 10am to 1pm
- Walk-in Pfizer appointments available
- Children aged 15 years and younger must be accompanied by a parent/guardian aged over 18 years
Cessnock Hospital, Foster Street entrance
- Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 October from 9am to 1pm
- Walk-in (appointments not required)
- Open to those aged 12 years and over
Maryland Multipurpose Centre
- 207 Maryland Drive on Wednesday 27 October from 10am to 1pm
- Walk-in Pfizer appointments available
- Children aged 15 years and younger must be accompanied by a parent/guardian aged over 18 years
Medowie Public School
- 15 Ferodale Rd on Sunday 24 October from 10am to 1pm
- Walk-in Pfizer appointments available
- Children aged 15 years and younger must be accompanied by a parent/guardian aged over 18 years
Quirindi Health Centre - Ingall Centre
- 50 Nowland St, Quirindi on Sunday 31 October (first dose) and Sunday 21 November (second dose) from 10.30am to 3pm
- Walk-ins accepted, though bookings are preferred and can be made by calling 6746 0200 from 7am to 3pm
- 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
- Thursday 4 November from 10am to 2.30pm
- Open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 12 years and older, including non-Aboriginal partners and household members
- We ask that those attending a vaccination clinic wear a mask, bring their Medicare card and ID (drivers licence, student ID).
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.
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.
Sewage detections
The virus that causes COVID-19 was detected in samples from the sewage catchments in Armidale, Inverell and Uralla. There are no known cases in the Inverell and Uralla areas.
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. Testing sites can be located via www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/health-and-wellbeing/clinics.
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