The Hunter region has hit another record after 27 cases of COVID-19 were detected yesterday, despite people adhering to the stay-at-home order.

The new infections take the total number the Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD) to 351, with 201 active cases.

Eight of the new detections are in Lake Macquarie with two in Charlestown, two in Mount Hutton and one case in each of the following suburbs: Cardiff South, Windale, Fishing Point and Wyee Point.

Newcastle detected eight infections with five in Mayfield, one in Hamilton South, another in Beresfield, and one in Elermore Vale.

Maitland also added six cases with all detections in Tenambit. The Cessnock LGA has has two cases in Cessnock and one in Cliftleigh.

Two cases are also in Port Stephens, including one in Shoal Bay and another in Fingal Bay.

A dozen of the discoveries were infections in the community and 13 are linked to two separate clusters (Mayfield/Charlestown and Tenambit).

Three of the cases are under investigation.

HNELHD’s Dr David Durrheim urged the region to remain vigilant.

“Unfortunately the predictions we made about two days ago have come to fruition,” he said.

“We noted at that time that with a large proportion of our cases infectious in the community we would see an increase in numbers and an increase in transmission in the community and that’s what we have [experienced] in the past 24 hours.

“This is really a source of concern, it means that the virus is very close to everyone of us.”

He encouraged the community to come forward and get vaccinated.

“We know that people are streaming in to get vaccinated and that is wonderful and as more vaccine becomes available we encourage everyone to get two doses,” Dr Durrheim said.

“It is important to note that a single dose of vaccine is really just a primer, it only provides about 30% protection so you are not protected against COVID if you’ve only had one jab.”

It comes as NSW reported 1,259 new cases and 12 deaths overnight.

Of the 12 people who died there was one woman in her 30s, two people in their 50s, three people in their 60s, three people in their 70s, two people in their 80s and a man in his 90s.

For our latest COVID-19 news click here.

With AAP

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