The Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD) received a welcome Christmas Eve gift, with just 592 new COVID-19 cases detected overnight.

It’s a far cry from the 976 infections registered in the previous 24 hours.

While the latest figure is encouraging, there are still 6,769 active cases in the HNELHD.

Thirteen of them are being cared for in hospital, with two people in ICU.

Both the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie LGAs experienced huge drops in numbers as of 8pm on Thursday 23 December.

Newcastle fell from 338 infections to 194, while Lake Macquarie went from 316 to 175.

The Maitland LGA registered 75, Cessnock LGA 33 and Port Stephens LGA 30.

Worringly, the Singleton LGA rose from 10 to 16.

Five cases appeared in the Muswellbrook LGA, four in the Upper Hunter LGA and two in the Dungog LGA.

Outside the Hunter, Mid-Coast LGA uncovered 18, Tamworth Regional LGA 17, Armidale Regional LGA 10, Moree Plains LGA (four), Inverell LGA (three), Glen Innes LGA (two), Gunnedah LGA (one), Tenterfield LGA (one), Uralla LGA (one) and Walcha LGA (one).

HNELHD public health controller Dr David Durrheim urged residents to consider a rapid antigen test (RAT) to avoid lengthy queues at testing sites in the region.
“It’s a quick way to detect COVID-19 in people who are not displaying symptoms of the virus,” he explained.

“With results displayed in 15 and 20 minutes, you can use a RAT to reduce the risk of passing on the infection to vulnerable friends and family these holidays.

“In the event that you have COVID-19 symptoms, you should always get a PCR test.”

Meanwhile, NSW recorded 5,612 locally-acquired cases in the past 24-hour period.

Sadly, NSW Health reported one death.

A woman in her 90s from south-western Sydney passed away at St George Hospital.

She was a resident of the St Basil’s Aged Care facility in Lakemba, where she acquired her infection.

She had received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine and had underlying health conditions.

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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