COVID-19 case numbers in the Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD) steadily rose again, with 1,612 infections detected overnight.
It’s an increase of 270 on the previous day’s figures.
Currently, there are 8,208 active cases in the HNELHD, with 65 people receiving care in hospital.
Four of them remain in ICU.
The Lake Macquarie and Newcastle LGAs continue to churn out the big numbers, with 342 and 320 respectively.
The Maitland LGA experienced its worst figure since the outbreak, with 197, while Cessnock (143), Port Stephens (141) and Singleton (113) LGAs all surpassed the 100-mark.
Thirty-two were uncovered in the Muswellbrook LGA, 23 in the Upper Hunter LGA and 20 in the Dungog LGA.
Outside the Hunter, the Tamworth Regional LGA unveiled 90 infections, Mid-Coast LGA 80, Moree Plains LGA 46, Narrabri LGA 27, Armidale LGA 15 and Gunnedah LGA 11.
Glenn Innes Severn LGA added four, along with the Inverell LGA, with the Liverpool Plains, Walcha, Tenterfield and Uralla LGAs picking up one apiece.
Overall, the state recorded 20,794 new cases of COVID-19 as of 8pm on Sunday 2 January.
Sadly, NSW Health is reporting the deaths of four people – two men and two women.
Two of them were aged in their 70s, one in their 80s, and another in their 90s.
Three people were fully-vaccinated, while the other had received three doses.
This includes a woman in her 90s from western Sydney who died at Bolton Clarke Cabrini Aged Care Facility in Westmead.
It is the first death linked to an outbreak at this facility.
Meanwhile, booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine are now available for people aged 18 and older.
“From tomorrow, those 18 years and over are eligible for a booster if they had their second dose at least four months ago,” an NSW Health spokesperson said.
“We urge people to get their booster dose as soon as they are eligible, to best protect themselves, their loved ones and the community from the ongoing transmission of COVID-19.
“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.”
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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