In some positive news for the region, the Hunter has recorded no new cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.
However, the lockdown across regional NSW will be extended to midnight Friday 10 September.
In the Hunter New England area there are 110 cases still active in the district, with 31 people requiring care in hospital.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the lack of new cases was a positive sign and the region had done a “good job” adhering to the restrictions.
“People have followed the rules but as we know those numbers can fluctuate on a daily basis,” he said on Thursday.
He added the decision to extend the lockdown was made to protect communities.
“We are sitting on a knife’s edge, it’s a tinderbox ready to explode and I do apologise to those communities that don’t have cases today but put it this way, the reason you may not have cases is because of the restrictions in place minimising movement,” he said.
“Now is the time to stay united and work to those restrictions.”
It comes as NSW recorded 1,029 cases and three more deaths.
Three men who were being cared for in the community in western Sydney died at their homes – a man in his 30s, a man in his 60s, and a man in his 80s.
There are almost 700 COVID-19 patients in hospitals in NSW, with 116 in intensive care beds and 43 ventilated.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced that from 13 September, up to five people – fully vaccinated adults or children – can gather outdoors, provided they are not from 12 council areas of concern.
For those in the 12 areas of concern, households with all adults vaccinated can gather outdoors for recreation, such as picnics. However, they may not do so with other households.
The Hunter region has been urged to remain vigilant, despite the low case numbers over the past few days.
“While zero cases is pleasing to see, it is important that everyone in the Hunter New England region remains vigilant and continues to monitor for symptoms, as there have been recent exposures and still hundreds of close contacts of COVID-19 cases,” Dr David Durrheim said.
“It is also important that anyone who is currently isolating in the community with COVID-19, calls for an ambulance should they experience a deterioration in their condition, including breathlessness and dizziness.”
With AAP
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