A further 30 cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed in Hunter New England Local Health District residents in the 24 hours to 8pm last night (Friday).
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Hunter New England Population Health public health physician, Dr David Durrheim said this brings the total number of cases in the district to 421 since August 5, 2021.
Of the new cases:
- Sixteen are from Lake Macquarie LGA, seven are from Newcastle LGA, five are from Maitland LGA, one is from Cessnock LGA and one is from Port Stephens LGA.
- Sixteen cases were infectious in the community, eight were in isolation for their entire infectious period and six are still under investigation.
- Nineteen cases are linked to known exposures or clusters, five are unlinked, and the source of six cases is under investigation.
Hunter New England Health continues to urge people to come forward for vaccination (providing they are not cases, contacts of cases, are not isolating, and do not have symptoms).
Dr Durrheim said those aged 12 years and above are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccination. Visit the Commonwealth Government's COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Finder to make a booking.
Priority appointments also available for health care workers, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members, school and child care staff, Year 12 students and pregnant women at the Belmont Hub.
Dr Durrheim said a number of new casual contact venues have been confirmed. The latest exposure sites are published on the HNE Health Facebook page and the NSW Government website. Anyone who attended any of the following new venues listed on the specified dates and times is a casual contact (unless they have been contacted by NSW Health as close contacts) and must get tested and isolate until a negative test result is received.
| Choice Pharmacy, Cameron Park Friday 10 September between 2.45pm and 2.55pm
| Petstock, 13-15 Cessnock Street, Cessnock
- Saturday 11 September, between 8.45am - 9am
- Sunday 12 September, between 10.15am - 10.20am
| Coles Glendale (Stockland Shopping Centre) Sunday 12 September, from 4:20pm to 4:25pm
| Coles Edgeworth (Main Road & Callan Street)
- Tuesday 14 September, from 10:40am to 10:55am
- Tuesday 14 September, from 6:25pm to 6:40pm
- Wednesday 15 September, from 9am to 9:05am
| Bunnings Glendale Tuesday 7 September, from 2:30pm to 2:40pm
| Priceline Pharmacy Jesmond, COVID Vaccination Clinic Saturday 11 September, from 8:45am to 9:30am
| Raymond Terrace Family Practice Sunday 12 September, from 3.25pm to 4pm
| Coles Mayfield,
- Tuesday 7 September, from 4:30pm to 4:45pm
- Wednesday 8 September from 7:20am to 7:30am
NSW Health contacts close contacts of all confirmed cases and directs them to be tested and self-isolate for 14 days from last contact, regardless of the result.
"Anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms such as fever, sore throat, cough or shortness of breath, is urged to immediately get tested," Dr Durrheim said. "Even people with mild symptoms, such as fatigue, new muscle aches or pains, headache, a change in taste or smell or a new runny nose, should arrange testing as quickly as possible."
All testing sites can be located via www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/health-and-wellbeing/clinics.
Those who have also attended any of the exposure sites listed on the HNE Health Facebook page and the NSW Government website at the specified times and dates should also seek testing, regardless if they have symptoms or not and follow the NSW Health directions.
It is also important that anyone who is currently isolating in the community with COVID-19, calls for an ambulance should they experience a deterioration in their condition, including breathlessness and dizziness.
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