For the second consecutive day, four deaths have rocked the Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD).

It comes as the region also detected 1,720 new COVID-19 cases (1,075 PCR and 645 RATs) in the past 24 hours.

Of the four people who died – three women and a man, one was from the Lake Macquarie LGA, one was from the Newcastle LGA, one was from the Mid-Coast LGA and the other was from the Tamworth LGA.

One was in their 60s, two were in their 80s and one was in their 90s.

There are currently 65 people receiving care in hospitals across the HNELHD, with six of them in ICU.

Meanwhile, the state recorded 13,354 positive test results (cases) as of 8pm on Friday 28 January, including 5,426 RATs and 7,928 PCR.

Sadly, NSW Health reported the deaths of a further 45 people – 25 women and 20 men.

One was in their 60s, 10 were in their 70s, 15 were in their 80s, 18 were in their 90s, and one person was aged 100 years old.

Older age is a significant risk factor for serious illness and death for COVID-19, particularly when combined with significant underlying health conditions.

However, one man who died was in his 60.

He had received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and suffered significant underlying health conditions.

Twenty-five people were from south-western Sydney, seven were from western Sydney, three were from Sydney’s inner west, two were from northern Sydney, two were from southern Sydney, two were from the Mid-North Coast, one was from Sydney’s eastern suburbs, one was from northern NSW, one was from the Riverina and one was from the state’s central west.

This brings the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in NSW since the beginning of the pandemic to 1,316.

There are currently 2,693 cases admitted to hospital, including 186 people in intensive care, 73 of whom require ventilation.

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