The Mid Coast local government area (LGA) remains at 32 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with no new case overnight.
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However, the Hunter New England Health (HNEH) district has recorded an additional 10 cases o bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 218.
Twelve COVID-19 patients are being cared for in HNEH hospitals, six in ICU.
Of the 218 cases, 33 have recovered.
Hunter New England Health is contacting close contacts of the new cases, who are being asked to self-isolate for 14 days from last contact.
Breakdown by age and sex:
- 0-9 years: nil
- 10-19 years: 4 females, 3 male
- 20-29 years: 22 women, 16 men
- 30-39 years: 14 women, 13 men
- 40-49 years: 5 women, 8 men
- 50-59 years: 16 women, 15 men
- 60-69 years: 25 women, 17 men
- 70-79 years: 23 women, 21 men
- 80-89 years: 8 women, 6 men
- 90-100 years: nil
In 174 cases the source was overseas.
Slowing the spread
By Anita Beaumont, Newcastle Herald
We are slowing the spread of COVID-19 in our region, but we cannot become complacent, Hunter New England Health's leading population health expert says.
As Hunter New England's tally of confirmed cases of COVID-19 reached 208 on Tuesday, March 31, Dr David Durrheim said the latest numbers were "encouraging", as they showed people's efforts were beginning to slow the spread of the virus.
But he said we have to keep going. We must not become "complacent".
An additional eight cases were confirmed in the Hunter New England Health district today Tuesday, down from 11 cases on Monday, 22 on Sunday and 25 on Saturday.
Thirty two cases have been confirmed in the Mid Coast local government area.
"Across Hunter New England, we have seen that only 12 cases to date haven't got a specific origin - they haven't come off a cruise ship, or been a partner of someone who has come off a cruise ship, or they haven't returned from overseas," Dr Durrheim said.
"This is an exciting feature that says we are doing the right thing.
"We are slowing the spread of the virus.
"What we have got to do now though is not become complacent.
"We have got to put in everything now to distance ourselves and to follow the directions that have been given.
"Three is a crowd. Only meet one-on-one. Don't gather in crowds at all."
NSW Health now has information on its website showing COVID-19 statistics broken down by Local Government Area. This information can be found at the link HERE
New COVID-19 cases linked to cruise ships
SATURDAY, MARCH 28: An additional 25 cases of COVID-19 have been diagnosed in the Hunter New England Health District in the 24 hours to 8pm March 27.
Of the 25 new cases, eight are linked to the Ruby Princess and Ovation of the Seas cruise ships and 27 are located in the Mid Coast local government area.
COVID-19 clinic to open at Manning Hospital
FRIDAY, MARCH 27: Hunter New England Health will open a COVID-19 clinic at Manning Hospital next week.
The COVID-19 clinic will operate from Manning Hospital as of Monday, March 30 from 8am to 4pm, seven days a week. Anyone wishing to access the clinic should call (02) 6592 9850 in operating hours for phone screening prior to attending.
And in a further effort to stop the spread, some entrances to Manning and John Hunter hospitals have been in an effort to reduce footfall and allow for screening of those attending or visiting the hospitals.
HNEH public health physician Dr Dave Durrheim said the health service is monitoring the number of people coming through its Emergency Departments and will review the need for further screening clinics as the situation evolves.
Visitors to hospitals have been asked to pay attention to signage. "These changes have been made to protect our staff and vulnerable patients, and to help prevent the spread of COVID-19," Dr Durrheim said.
More information on cases and testing is available on the NSW Health website.
