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A young woman who has tested positive for COVID-19 is isolating in the Tuncurry area, Hunter New England Health has confirmed.
The woman, identified as a close contact, travelled from Newcastle to Tuncurry on August 5.
The region's lockdown, which has now been extended to at least a second week, began at 5pm that day.
The woman was tested that day and "COVID-19 was not detected".
"She subsequently tested positive for COVID-19 on a swab collected on 9 August," Hunter New England Health said in a statement.
Health authorities said police had approached the woman and her household contacts to ensure all isolation requirements had been met.
Her household contacts have been isolating since they were tested on August 9 and returned negative tests.
"Due to the individuals residential address, this case has been previously reported in the Newcastle LGA case numbers on the NSW Health website," the health authority said.
The clarification comes as the Hunter recorded 24 fresh cases on Thursday, taking its total to 77 before adjusting for the Tuncurry case.
EARLIER:
Hunter New England Health has advised there is a positive COVID-19 case in Forster.
Member for Myall Lakes Stephen Bromhead said he had been advised by the health service the person acquired COVID in Newcastle and has been isolating at home, in Forster.
"There is no evidence of community transmission at this stage, but the case is being closely monitored," he said.
"I will provide further advice when it becomes available."
There were 24 new cases across the Hunter New England Health District up to 8pm Wednesday, August 11, making a total of 77 in the district since August 5.
Twelve are associated with the residential aged care facility, RFBI Hawkins Masonic Retirement Village in Edgeworth, including eleven residents and one staff member. The remaining 12 cases today are linked to previously reported cases.
The current stay-at-home orders across Hunter New England will be extended for one week until 12:01am Friday, August 20. These rules apply to people in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Port Stephens, Singleton, Dungog, Muswellbrook and Cessnock.
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