COVID-19 case numbers nose-dived overnight, with 712 new infections being detected in the Hunter New England Local Health District.
While the figure remains high, just before Christmas, it’s a drop of 187 from the previous day.
Currently, there are 3,725 active cases in HNELHD, with 17 people being cared for in hospital – three of which are in ICU.
The Hunter, itself, continues to be an area of concern.
The Newcastle LGA uncovered a further 356 COVID-19 infections, with the Lake Macquarie LGA declaring 176.
Eighty-five appeared in the Maitland LGA, 35 in the Port Stephens LGA and 19 in the Cessnock LGA.
The Singleton LGA registered 10 cases, Muswellbrook LGA seven and Upper Hunter LGA just three.
Outside the Hunter, the remaining infections appeared in the Mid-Coast LGA (six), Tamworth Regional LGA (six), Moree Plains LGA (four), Gunnedah LGA (two), Armidale LGA (one), Glen Innes Severn LGA (one) and Narrabri LGA (one).
Meanwhile, NSW recorded an additional 2,566 cases of COVID-19 as of 8pm on Saturday 18 December.
A total of 313 infections with the Omicron variant were confirmed, too.
NSW Health is encouraging everyone who is eligible to book into a vaccination clinic or another provider without delay through the COVID-19 vaccine clinic finder.
Everyone aged 18 years and older may now receive a booster five months after receiving their second dose of a vaccine.
“We urge people to get their booster dose as soon as they are eligible, to best protect yourself, your loved ones and the community from the ongoing transmission of COVID-19,” a spokesperson said.
“We also strongly recommend that people aged 12 years and older who are severely immunocompromised have a third primary dose of vaccine from two months after their second dose.
“But, talk to your GP for more advice.”
If you need to get tested for COVID-19 there are more than 450 clinics open across NSW.
For a complete list and booking details, visit: health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/clinics.aspx
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