COVID-19 case numbers are continuing to rise in the Hunter region with 13 new infections confirmed on Tuesday morning, three of which are still under investigation.
Of the cases 10 are from the Newcastle local government area and three are from the Lake Macquarie region.
Nine of the people are aged under 30.
The new detections take the total number of cases in the current outbreak to 39.
Hunter New England Health Public Health Controller for the COVID-19 response Dr David Durrheim said the region needs to remain vigilant and present for testing even if they have the mildest of symptoms.
“[We are] contacting close contacts of all confirmed cases and directing them to be tested and to self-isolate for 14 days from last contact, regardless of the result,” he said.
“Unfortunately, two of the new cases worked in aged care facilities while infectious; Masonic Village, Edgeworth and Hammond Care, Waratah.
“NSW Health and the Commonwealth Government are working to support these aged care facilities to manage risk to their residents and staff.
“No cases in staff or residents have been confirmed at this time.”
A number of new exposure sites were added to the list as well.
Anyone who attended the following venues on the specified dates and times are considered close contacts and are urged to get tested and isolate for 14 days, or await further advice from NSW Health:
- Subway, Warners Bay (The Esplanade) on Tuesday 3 August from 11am to 5pm, Wednesday 4 August from 11.30am to 5pm, Thursday 5 August from 11am to 6pm
- Wests, New Lambton (Lower Alfresco Gaming Area, Main Bar and Hopsmith Bar Smoking Area) on Wednesday 4 August from 7.50pm to 10pm
- Air Locker Training, Kotara on Monday 2 August from 8.15am to 9.15am, Tuesday 3 August from 6.15am to 7.15am
- Bus 269 (Teralba to Warners Bay) on Tuesday 3 August and Thursday 5 August from 10.45am to 11am (both days)
Anyone who attended the following venues on the specified dates and times are casual contacts (unless they have been contacted by NSW Health as close contacts) and are urged to get tested and isolate until a negative test result is received:
- Big W, Charlestown Square on Wednesday 4 August from 9.16am to 10am
- Coles, Warners Bay Village Shopping Centre on Tuesday 3 August from 10.45am to 10.47am
- Aldi, Newcastle West (Union Street) on Tuesday 3 August from 9.25am to 9.30am
- Newcastle Basketball Stadium, Broadmeadow on Tuesday 3 August from 8.30pm to 9.30pm
- McDonald’s, Charlestown Square on Thursday 29 July from 5.05pm to 5.45pm
- Coles, Medowie on Wednesday 4 August from 6.15pm to 6.45pm
It comes as NSW recorded 356 new locally acquired cases in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.
Sadly, another four people have also died from the virus, bringing the number of COVID-related deaths to 32 during the current outbreak.
The number of lives lost since the beginning of the pandemic is now 89.
It is vital that anyone who has any symptoms or is a close or casual contact, isolates and is tested immediately.
When testing clinics are busy, residents are asked to stay in line, identify yourself to staff and tell them that you have symptoms or are a contact of a case.
There are more than 410 testing clinics open across NSW. For a complete list and booking details, please visit: health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/clinics.aspx
COVID-19 testing clinics
- Belmont Hospital Drive-through Clinic – 16 Croudace Bay Road, Belmont. Follow signs on campus
- Calvary Mater Newcastle Hospital – Screening desk located inside of front entrance, Edith and Plath Street, Waratah
- Cessnock Hospital Drive-through Clinic – 24 View Street, Cessnock
- John Hunter Hospital – Adjacent to the Emergency Department, Lookout Road, New Lambton Heights
- Maitland Hospital – Health Services Unit, 560 High Street, Maitland
- Singleton Hospital Drive-through Clinic – Follow signs at main entrance, Dangar Road, Singleton
- University of Newcastle Drive-through Clinic – ICT car park, entry from University Drive, Callaghan
- McDonald Jones Stadium Laverty Pathology Clinic – McDonald Jones Stadium
- Adamstown Laverty Pathology Drive-through Clinic – 91 Victoria Street, Adamstown, enter carpark via Victoria Street. Please do not exit your car.
- Cessnock Laverty Pathology Drive-through Clinic – Cessnock Civic Indoor Sports Centre car park, 88 Mount View Road
- East Maitland 4Cyte Pathology Drive-through Clinic – Stockade Hill Carpark, Brisbane Street, East Maitland
- Gateshead Laverty Pathology Drive-through Clinic – Harold Knight Oval, Pacific Highway (Entry via Willow Road)
- Morisset Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology Drive-through Clinic – 40 Ourimbah Street, Morisset
- Nelson Bay Laverty Pathology Drive-through Clinic – 20 Aquatic Close, Nelson Bay
- South Maitland Laverty Pathology Drive-through Clinic – Maitland Showground, Blomfield Street (entry via Anzac Street), South Maitland
- Wallsend 4Cyte Pathology Drive-through Clinic – 173 Nelson Street, Wallsend
- Warners Bay 4Cyte Pathology Drive-through Clinic – Central Church, 290 Hillsborough Road, Warners Bay
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