Hunter New England Health is providing medical support to another 14 people who were diagnosed with COVID-19 overnight.
The total number of cases in the district is now 53 since 5 August.
New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian says the Hunter is likely to remain in lockdown beyond the initial 7-day period.
“The Hunter does not look like it will come out of lockdown later this week, however we await the health advice.” – Gladys Berejiklian, NSW Premier.
Of the 14 new cases:
Seven are in the Newcastle area, six are in Lake Macquarie, and one is in the Maitland area.
Eleven are linked to previously reported cases (five are household contacts, five are close or secondary contacts, and one is linked to other cases or clusters), and the
source of three cases is still under investigation.
Six were in isolation throughout their infectious period, one was in isolation for part of their infectious period. Six were was infectious while in the community, and one are
still under investigation.
The community is urged to head to the NSW Health website for the latest officially confirmed close and casual exposure sites in the region.
HNEH says sewage detects have occurred for the first time in Toronto and Raymond Terrace, and is prompting more symptomatic people to get tested.
Shortland and Burwood catchment areas have also returned detects.
“The new sewage detects in the Toronto area and Raymond Terrace area should really prompt the communities in those areas not to ignore even the mildest of symptoms, please go out and get tested and isolate until you get a negative result.” – Hunter New England Health Physician Dr David Durrheim.
