The Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD) has been rocked by two COVID-19-related deaths in the past 24 hours.
Two women, one in her 70s and the other in her 90s, passed away at the Warabrook Aged Care facility in Newcastle where they acquired their infections.
The 70-year-old had received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine but suffered underlying health conditions.
It was a similar story for the 90-year-old.
She, too, had underlying health conditions.
However, she’d received three doses of a vaccine.
The devastating news comes as the HNELHD experienced another surge in cases, with 775 detected overnight.
Currently, 7,743 infections remain active, with 31 being cared for in hospital and three people in ICU.
The Lake Macquarie and Newcastle LGAs remain on high alert, with 187 and 185 cases respectively.
The Maitland LGA also underwent a spike, registering 122.
A further 55 infections were uncovered in the Cessnock LGA, while the Port Stephens LGA discovered another 52.
The Singleton LGA went from 22 to 31 overnight, as well.
There were eight in the Upper Hunter LGA, seven in the Muswellbrook LGA and three in the Dungog LGA.
Outside the Hunter, the Tamworth Regional LGA had the biggest increase with 47.
Then followed Mid-Coast LGA (26), Narrabri LGA (14), Moree Plains LGA (12), Gunnedah LGA (nine), Armidale Regional LGA (eight), Inverell LGA (four), Uralla LGA (two), Glen Innes LGA (one), Gwydir LGA (one) and Liverpool Plains LGA (one).
NSW Health is also advising people to choose an outdoor venue when meeting up with family or friends.
“Open or well-ventilated spaces reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 because infectious particles are more quickly diffused in the open air than in spaces with less ventilation,” a spokesperson said.
“Transmission of COVID-19 is more common indoors, where there may be less space to physically distance, and where people may come into contact with droplets and aerosolised particles more easily.”
If you need to get tested for COVID-19 there are more than 450 clinics open across NSW.
For a complete list and booking details, visit: health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/clinics.aspx
Get all the latest Newcastle news, sport, entertainment, lifestyle, competitions and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Newcastle Weekly Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.
