COVID-19 case numbers are continuing to rise in the region as an additional six people in the Hunter, Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Port Stephens areas and one in Armidale have tested positive for the virus.
“As confirmed in today’s COVID-19 state-wide figures, Hunter New England Health is providing support to seven people, in addition to the 13 confirmed cases announced since Thursday 5 August,” Public Health Controller for the COVID-19 response Dr David Durrheim said.
The cases include:
- A female in her teens from Armidale, who is a family household contact of the two cases in Armidale announced yesterday.
- A young female who attends Morisset High School, who is the second case linked to the Central Coast case announced on Thursday.
- A male young adult and a male in his 20s, who are linked to the Blacksmith Beach gathering cluster.
- A female young adult and a male in his 20s, linked to the University of Newcastle cases. Links between the University of Newcastle cases and the Blacksmith Beach party cluster reported earlier are still being investigated.
- A male in his 30s from Raymond Terrace. Investigations into the source of his infection are still ongoing.
This takes the total number of cases in the current outbreak to 20.
There was also a very low level detection in a possible case in a male in his 40s working in Boggabri. Further urgent testing is being conducted today.
“Hunter New England Health is contacting close contacts of all confirmed cases and are asking them to be tested and self-isolate for 14 days from last contact,” Dr Durrheim said.
“Hunter New England Health has been notified of a large number of new venues of concern associated with confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the region.”
The following exposure sites were published last night.
Anyone who attended the following venues on the specified dates and times are considered close contacts and must get tested and isolate for 14 days, and await further advice from NSW Health:
- Ampol Service Station, Maryland on Friday 6 August from 4.30am – 10am
- Nextra Newsagency, Charlestown Square on Thursday 29 July 3.15pm – 3.22pm and
4.18pm – 4.24pm - Barber Industries, Westfield Kotara on Thursday 5 August from 1.30pm – 2pm
University of Newcastle
- Any student who has been a resident of International House, Callaghan Campus, University of Newcastle, who has been at International House between Wednesday 28 July – Saturday 7 August is also considered a close contact.
“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 must get tested and isolate until a negative test result is received:
- KFC Charlestown Square on Monday 2 August from 12.45pm to 1.10pm
- Charlestown Square Foodcourt on Thursday 5 August from 12.41pm to 2.11pm
- Cha Time, Westfield Kotara on Thursday 5 August from 2.06 to 2.11pm
- Prouds, Westfield Kotara on Thursday 5 August from 1.59pm to 2.06pm
- 7Eleven Service Station, Shortland on Wednesday 28 July from 9pm to 9.05pm, Friday 30 July from 3.15am to 3.25am and Sunday 1 August from 4.37am to 4.47am
- Oval 2 (soccer match), University of Newcastle on Wednesday 4 August from 5.30pm to 6.42pm
- Cha Time, Charlestown Square on Monday 2 August from 12.41pm – 12.44pm
The District expects to announce more exposure sites throughout the day,” Dr Durrheim added.
“We endeavour to publish exposure sites as quickly possible, however it is important we confirm details and exposure times to ensure accurate information is provided to the community.”
“The Delta variant of COVID-19 is highly transmissible with close contact. Everyone is advised to avoid gatherings and limit unnecessary travel wherever possible.
“Anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms such as fever, sore throat, cough or shortness of breath, is urged to get tested.
“Even those with mild symptoms such as fatigue, new muscle aches or pains, a change in taste or smell or a new runny nose should arrange testing as quickly as possible.”
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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