The Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD) detected 19 new COVID-19 cases overnight, including two in the Lake Macquarie LGA.

There are 170 active infections, however no-one is currently being cared for in hospital.

The Mid-Coast and Tamworth Regional LGAs registered eight each, while one was uncovered in the Armidale Regional LGA.

NSW recorded a further 560 locally-acquired cases of COVID-19 as of 8pm on Friday 10 December.

There is a total of 45 infections with the Omicron variant in NSW.

Sadly, NSW Health reported three deaths.

A man in his 80s from south-western Sydney died at Liverpool Hospital.

He was a resident of the Gillawarna Village Aged Care facility, where he acquired his infection.

He’d received three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine and had underlying health conditions.

This is the second death linked to this facility.

A man in his 80s from eastern Sydney died at St Vincents Hospital.

He had received two doses of a vaccine and had underlying health conditions.

A woman in her 70s from the Riverina region died at Albury Base Hospital.

She had received two doses of a vaccine and had underlying health condition.

HNELHD public health physician Dr David Durrheim is asking everyone to remain alert.

“We’re urging the community to get vaccinated, receive their booster if eligible and seek testing if experiencing any symptoms, with 19 new COVID-19 cases diagnosed,” he said.

“Meanwhile, Omicron continues to spread internationally and has been identified in international arrivals to NSW from southern Africa as well as travellers from other countries.

“These people have likely acquired their infections both in their countries of origin and on flights shared with infectious passengers seated several rows apart.

“All travellers arriving in NSW who have been in South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini and Malawi during the 14-day period before their arrival in NSW must enter hotel quarantine for 14 days, irrespective of their vaccination status.

“Those from all other countries must isolate for 72 hours, avoid high risk settings until after day seven and have a PCR test in the first 24 hours and on day six after arrival.

“They are also strongly encouraged to get tested 12 days after arrival.

“All recent international arrivals must be vigilant for symptoms and isolate and get tested immediately should symptoms develop.”

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

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