COVID-19 is continuing to spread in the Hunter with 69 new cases detected in the 24 hours to 8pm on Thursday night.

Lake Macquarie recorded the highest number of infections with 23 across Blackalls Park, Windale, Dora Creek, Swansea, Cameron Park, Cooranbong, Edgeworth, Warners Bay, Gateshead, Belmont, Bonnells Bay, Marks Point, Redhead, Whitebridge, Floraville and Wyee.

Twenty cases were found in the Newcastle LGA in Hamilton, Shortland, New Lambton, Elermore Vale, Mayfield, Merewether, Newcastle, Cooks Hill, Birmingham Gardens, Hamilton South, Kotara, Waratah West and Tighes Hill.

Discoveries in Rutherford, Telarah, Woodberry and Farley added nine to Maitland’s total while Cessnock recorded eight cases in Neath, East Branxton, Weston, Cessnock and Cliftleigh.

Port Stephens found two in Raymond Terrace and Salamander Bay.

The Muswellbrook, Singleton and Upper Hunter LGAs all added cases with three in Muswellbrook, two across Singleton and Singleton Heights and one in Merriwa.

The Dungog LGA also added one in Gresford.

At least 37 were infectious in the community and 570 close contacts are in isolation.

In the Hunter New England Local Health District 16 people are being treated in hospital with two in intensive care.

It comes as NSW reported 864 new locally acquired cases and 15 more deaths – eight women and seven men.

Three people were in their 50s, two were in their 60s, two in their 70s, six people in their 80s, and two people were in their 90s.

Nine people were not vaccinated, one had received one dose, and five people had received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.

If you need to get tested for COVID-19 there are more than 410 clinics open across NSW.

For a complete list and booking details, visit: health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/clinics.aspx

For our latest COVID-19 news click here.

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