The New South Wales Government has announced 15 new confirmed COVID-19 cases in the region from 8pm Tuesday night.

The new figures bring the total number of cases in the current outbreak to 145.

10 are in Newcastle LGAs - 8 within Elemore Vale, 1 in New Lambton, 1 in New Lambton Heights and 4 were infectious in the community at the time.

3 are in Lake Macquarie LGAs - 2 in Cardiff, 1 in Barnsley and only 1 was infectious in the community.

2 from Maitland LGAs - 1 in Ashtonfield and 1 in Bolwarra Heights.

All are linked to previously known cases within the region and 1 was associated with the aged care cluster.

This comes after 633 new cases were reported in the state, 475 are under investigation and tragically 3 fatalities. 

For further information, visit the Hunter New England Health Website. 

Image Credits: BlenderTimer, Pixabay

 

Hunter New England Health District have identified 18 newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 within the past 24-hours. 

It takes the total number in the current outbreak to 310 - with currently 161 active cases.

Five are from Newcastle LGA - two in Mayfield and one in Mayfield West, Elemore Vale and Hamilton South.

Five are from Lake Macquarie LGA - two in Arcadia Vale and one in Balcolyn, Blackhalls Park and Boolaroo.

Four are from Port Stephens LGA - one in Salamander Bay, Nelson Bay, Anna Bay and Soldiers Point.

Two are from Maitland LGA - both in Tenambit.

Two are from Cessnock LGA - one in Greta and one in Weston.

Nine of the total active cases are currently being cared for in hospital, while zero are in ICU.

Eight of the cases are linked, two remain unlinked and eight are under investigation by health experts.

Two were isolating in their infectious period and eight were infectious in the community.

There are 546 close contacts across the Hunter in isolation.

For further information visit theHunter New England Health Website.

 

There are currently 20 active cases of COVID-19 across the Hunter New England Health District,  with seven new cases appearing in the last 24 hours. 

One case appeared in Armidale -  a female teenager who is a family household contact for the two recorded in the region.

One  linked to the Central Coast case - a young female who attends Morisset High School and is the second person connected to this outbreak.

Two cases are associated with the University of Newcastle - a young adult female and a male in his twenties. 

Two connected to the Blacksmith Beach cluster gathering - one male in his twenties and another young adult male.

A male in his thirties from Raymond Terrace has also tested positive to the virus, the source of his infection is still under investigation. 

There has also been a very low detection in a male in his 40s working at Boggabri coal mines. 

New restrictions were also announced for the Armidale Regional LGA, including the towns of Armidale and Guyra. These stay-at-home orders remain effective until Sunday August 15 and apply to residents of the area or have visited on or after July 29. 

Meanwhile, new exposure site updates have also been listed for Tamworth and Newcastle in the last 10 hours. 

People who have visited Inland Café, Tamworth on Thursday 5 August from 9:15am – 10:00am, Tudor Hotel, Tamworth on Thursday 5 August from 11:00am – 11:40am, Habesha Ethiopian Restaurant, The Junction any time from Saturday 31 July to Thursday 5 August and Mr Rice Takeaway, Cooks Hill on Wednesday 4 August from 3:00pm – 3:20pm are considered close contacts.

While those who attended Gloria Jeans Coffee, Tamworth (1/369 Peel Street) on Thursday 5 August 9:15am – 9:20am, Super Vape Store, Tamworth on Thursday 5 August from 10:55am – 11:05am and Ampol Roadhouse, Hillvue (502 Goonoo Goonoo Road) on Thursday 5 August from 12:25pm – 12:30pm are considered casual contacts.

 Image Credit: Geralt Pixabay, and Hunter New England Health

 

The Hunter New England Health District has identified 74 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24-hours. 

It takes the total number in the current outbreak to 2,429 - with currently 940 active cases. 

Of the active infections, 23 are currently being cared for in hospital and there are three in ICU. 

35 are linked, nine are unlinked, and 30 are still under investigation.

30 were infectious in the community, 14 were isolating while infectious.

Meanwhile, New South Wales recorded 372 new locally acquired cases. 

A breakdown of today's cases:

23 are from Newcastle LGA

- 3 from Elermore Vale

- 3 from Hamilton

- 3 from Hamilton South

- 3 from Jesmond

- 2 from New Lambton Heights

- 2 from Wallsend

- 1 from Adamstown

- 1 from Birmingham Gardens

- 1 from Mayfield West

- 1 from Merewether

- 1 from North Lambton

- 1 from Tarro

- 1 from The Hill

15 are from Maitland LGA

- 6 from Rutherford

- 4 from Metford

- 3 from Woodberry

- 1 from Lorn

- 1 from Thornton

12 are from Lake Macquarie LGA

- 2 from Dudley

- 2 from Macquarie Hills

- 1 from Belmont North

- 1 from Bolton Point

- 1 from Cardiff South

- 1 from Gateshead

- 1 from Pelican

- 1 from West Wallsend

- 1 from Windale

- 1 from Wyee

9 are from Cessnock LGA

- 8 from Cessnock

- 1 from Kurri Kurri

8 are from MidCoast LGA

- 4 from Taree

- 1 from Cundletown

- 1 from Killabakh

- 1 from Purfleet

- 1 from Hawks Nest

4 are from Port Stephens LGA

- 2 from Raymond Terrace

- 1 from Williamtown

- 1 from Karuah

3 is from Tamworth Regional LGA

- 1 from East Tamworth

- 1 from South Tamworth

- 1 from West Tamworth

Image: Grant Broadcasters

A positive case was identified in today's Coronavirus figures in Tamworth overnight.

It comes as there were 24 newly confirmed cases in total across the Hunter New England Health District.

11 were from Newcastle - Three in Shortland, two in Newcastle East, and one in Elermore Vale, Wallsend, Bar Beach, Waratah, Birmingham Gardens and Carrington.

Seven in Lake Macquarie - Two in Morisset, 2 in Edgeworth, and one in Arcadia Vale, Toronto and Dora Creek.

Three in Maitland - One in Rutherford, East Maitland and Thornton

One in Port Stephens - located in Tanilba Bay

One in Tamworth - located in Tamworth. 

It brings the total number in the current outbreak to 458 - with 291 active cases.

15 were infectious while in the community, eight were isolating and one remains under investigation by health authorities.

17 are linked to known sources, one is unlinked and six require further investigations.

13 of the total active cases are in hospital and two remain in ICU.

There are 742 close contacts in isolation across the regions.

New South Wales recorded 935 new locally acquired cases overnight.

There were tragically four deaths.

The Singleton LGA now has confirmed case of COVID-19 which was infectious while in the community. 

It comes as the Hunter New England Health District revealed 13 new cases in the past 24-hours.

The Singleton is currently under investigation and not linked to any known infections. 

The other eight were in Port Stephens - located in Anna Bay, Fingal Bay, Fern Bae, Heatherbrae, Nelson Bay, Soldiers Point and Shaol Bay.

The other four were from Lake Macquarie - located in Wyee Point and Murrays Beach.

10 of the total active cases are currently being cared for in hospital. 0 are in ICU.

Eight of the cases are linked, while seven were infectious in the community, with two under investigation.

There are 485 close contacts are in isolation.

 

Upper Hunter, Singleton and Muswellbrook LGAs will remain in lockdown despite some parts of the state easing restrictions.

Lower Hunter regions including Newcastle, Cessnock, Dungog, Lake Macquarie, Maitland and Port Stephens will also continue following the stay-at-home orders.

Parts of regional NSW currently deemed low risk and which have seen zero COVID cases for at least 14 days will emerge from lockdown but will continue to operate under restrictions to ensure the safety of regional communities.

It follows from the 12 new confirmed cases that appeared within the Hunter New England Health District overnight. 

Four were in the Port Stephens LGA, four in Newcastle, three in Lake Macquarie and one in the Maitland. 

A spokesperson from Hunter England Health has confirmed the Maitland case belong to the Cessnock LGA and will be re-issued. 

The individual is from Hedden Greta but is linked to the Upper Hunter mines outbreak at Mt Pleasant in Muswellbrook.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro said regional communities are doing an incredible job following health advice and getting vaccinated which has made the easing of lockdown in some areas possible.

“Today, I can announce that while unfortunately many regional LGAs will remain in lockdown due to COVID case numbers, for other parts of the state, stay-at-home orders will be lifted allowing more freedoms for those communities.

“This decision is based on NSW Health advice, and the LGAs which remain in lockdown will continue to be monitored and we will update those communities on a regular basis.

“My strong advice to everyone in regional NSW is to get vaccinated as soon as you can. Our communities need to continue to get vaccinated so that when NSW reaches 70 and 80 per cent, restrictions can ease significantly,” Mr Barilaro said.

A full list of the regional LGAs still under lockdown orders:

Stay-at-home orders will remain in place in the following LGAs:

• Bathurst
• Bega
• Blayney
• Bogan
• Bourke
• Brewarrina
• Broken Hill
• Cabonne
• Central Coast
• Central Darling
• Cessnock
• Dubbo
• Dungog
• Eurobodalla
• Forbes
• Gilgandra
• Goulburn Mulwarre
• Kiama
• Lake Macquarie
• Lithgow
• Maitland
• Mid-Coast
• Mid-Western
• Muswellbrook
• Narrabri
• Narromine
• Newcastle
• Orange
• Parkes
• Port Stephens
• Queanbeyan-Palerang
• Shellharbour
• Shoalhaven
• Singleton
• Snowy Monaro
• Upper Hunter
• Walgett
• Wingecarribee

 

Six parents, four women and two men, have tested positive for COVID-19 in the John Hunter Hospital. 

According to Dr Paul Craven, Medical Controller, HNE Health: 

On 26 September 2021, the mother of a newborn baby, who was a patient on the Maternity Ward at John Hunter Hospital, alerted staff to the onset of respiratory symptoms.

The parent was immediately isolated and swabbed for COVID-19, subsequently testing positive.

Following her diagnosis, close and casual contacts on the maternity ward and in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at John Hunter Children’s Hospital, where her child is being cared for, were immediately contacted, tested and told to isolate - this included parents and staff.

Since the initial diagnosis, a further five parents have tested positive while in isolation.

All staff were wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) while caring for these families and have to date, all tested negative.

The babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit have been assessed as a low-risk for exposure, however, multiple tests have been undertaken, with all babies testing negative for COVID-19.

The babies continue to receive high quality care from our dedicated nursing staff and neonatologists.

Parents in isolation have access to the NICU’s NICView camera system, which allows them to log on and see their baby 24-hours-a-day.

Exposure sites within the facility have been deep cleaned.

The operation of the NICU is unaffected and staff continue to abide by strict COVID-safe protocols.

Parents who are unaffected continue to access the Unit to spend time with their babies.

 

A  truck carrying furniture crashed on the Golden Highway near Gungal early this morning. 

The large vehicle rolled to its side and the two male occupants including a 19-year-old driver were assisted out by a passing motorist. 

Hunter Valley Police District have released a statement overnight confirming the driver was from Blacktown, a current hotspot in Sydney. Inquiries revealed the man did not have a reasonable excuse for travelling to the area and was issued with a $1000 infringement. 

However, the passenger was a man from Stanmore and it was deemed he was not contravening the Public Health Order.

An informant  told Radio Hunter Valley that the person in question admitted to being tested for COVID-19 and not having their results yet. 

The statement from Police Media doesn't say if the man had received test results from his last COVID-test.

Meanwhile, Hunter New England Health have said they cannot provide any further details about the incident but if there is a positive result, they will work with all people involved. 

A spokesperson from Ambulance NSW said the driver and his passenger suffered minor injuries but refused any further medical assistance after treatment at the scene.

 

Tamworth LGA will go into lockdown from 5pm today. 

The new stay-at-home orders follows after a person from Newcastle traveled to the region. 

There are currently a number of exposure sites in Tamworth, however there are no confirmed cases of the virus at present.

State Premier Gladys Berejiklian insisted this is a precautionary measure. 

Meanwhile, there are 283 new cases across New South Wales, with 64 infectious in the community. 

There was one fatality recorded today - a woman in her nineties. 

For all of the full details head to the NSW Health Website for venues of concerns and regulations around the stay-at-home order. 

Image Credit: Tumisu, Pixabay

 

 

An alternative method for QR check-ins has become available for residents of the Upper Hunter without access to smartphones. 

A COVID-19 check-in card is a hard-copy card that contains encrypted, unique QR codes that contains an individual's registered contact details.  It  is not mandatory for businesses to accept and scan the card.  However, it is highly recommended. 

When entering a COVID-safe business, customers can present the check-in card to an employee who then scans the code and electronically records their visit to the venue.

Customer tracking information will be directly available for NSW Health's Contact Tracing team in the event of a positive COVID-19 case outbreak. 

Individuals can download and print their COVID-19 check-in card or have one mailed to them. Individuals can create a card at the  Service NSW website. 

Image Credit: Service NSW Facebook

 

 

 

After yesterdays announcement of a seven-day lockdown in parts of our region, Hunter New England Health have extended testing clinic hours. See the full list below of times and locations below:

HNE Health

Extended Testing Clinic Hours

A new clinic has been established by Laverty Pathology at McDonald Jones Stadium. It will open today at approx 11am. After today, the clinic will operate Mon to Fri 7am - 6pm and Sat to Sun 7.30am - 4pm.

Public facilities

University of Newcastle drive-through clinic

7.30am - 5pm, 7 days a week

Belmont Hospital drive-through clinic

Open 8am - 8pm 7 days

Calvary Mater Newcastle

8am - 2pm Monday - Friday

Cessnock Hospital drive-through clinic

8am - 4.30pm Monday - Friday

8am - 6pm this Saturday

8am - 6pm Sunday

Singleton Hospital drive-through clinic

1.20pm - 3.20pm Monday - Friday

2pm - 4pm Saturday and Sunday

Scone Hospital clinic

9.30am - 11.30am Monday - Friday

2pm - 4pm Saturday - Sunday

Muswellbrook Hospital clinic

9.30am - 11.30am Monday - Friday

9.30am - 12.30pm on Friday 6 August

9.30am - 12.30pm Saturday - Sunday

There are a number of other private pathology services providing testing across the lockdown LGAs.

All testing clinics can be found at https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/health-and-wellbeing/clinics.

 

 

In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, Muswellbrook Council in conjunction with NSW Health will hold a drive through testing clinic at the showground. 

Anybody within the Local Government Area experiencing the mildest of symptoms are being urged to get tested.

Once a resident receives the COVID-19 test they must isolate until a negative test result is received.  

The drive-through clinic will be open at the following times:

• Friday 10 September, 7:30am to 3:30pm
• Saturday 11 September, 7:30am to 3:30pm
• Sunday 12 September, 7:30am to 3:30pm
• Monday 13 September, 7:30am to 3:30pm

Image Credit: Caravan Park Photos

 

 

Hunter New England Health have confirmed there are 14 new coronavirus cases within the region.

These new figures bring the total number of cases in the district to 53.

7 are from the Newcastle LGA , 6 are from Lake Macquarie LGA and 1 from Maitland.

11 are currently linked to previously reported cases, while 3 are still under investigation.

9 of the 14 cases are aged under 30 years of age and 6 were active in the community while infectious.

In addition, Dubbo LGA's will go into a snap lockdown as of 1pm today.

For further information, refer to the Hunter New England Health Website.

Image Credit: Hunter New England Health

 

A newly confirmed case of COVID-19 has been identified within Gunnedah.

It follows as 16 new cases were listed in today's figures and take the total number in the current outbreak from the Hunter regions to 367.

There are currently 202 active cases.

Six are from Lake Macquarie LGA - two in Wangi Wangi and one in Arcadia Vale, Charlestown, Glendale, West Wallsend.

Five are from Newcastle LGA - two in Mayfield and one in Hamilton, New Lambtom and Elermore Vale.

Three are from Cessnock LGA - two in Cliftleigh and one in Greta.

One are from Port Stephens LGA in Boat Harbour and one in Gunnedah LGA.

There are 14 of the total active cases are currently being cared for in hospital and two are in ICU.

Nine of the cases are linked and seven remain under investigation.

10 were infectious in the community and five were isolating while infectious.

For more information visit the Hunter New England Health website.

To see vaccination rates by postcode visit https://bit.ly/Vaccination_by_postcode.

To view the case location map for NSW visit https://bit.ly/NSW_CaseLocations.

Hunter New England Health have identified 45 new cases of COVID-19 throughout the district. 

It has become the highest recorded number of cases to date since September 18th when 30 were documented. 

The newly recorded take the total number in the current outbreak to 521 - with 342 active cases.

20 are from Newcastle LGA - four in Newcastle, three in Wallsend and Birmingham Gardens, two in Newcastle East and one in Mayfield, New Lambton, Merewether, Waratah, Hamilton, Mayfield East, Bar Beach and Wallsend South.

19 are from Lake Macquarie LGA - four in Toronto and Cooranbong, three in Mirrabooka, 2 in Woodrising and one in Mount Hutton, Wangi Wangi, Booragul, Edgeworth, Windale and Blackalls Park.

Three are from Maitland LGA - one in Metford, Ashtonfield and Green Hills.

Two are from Cessnock LGA - one in  North Rothbury and Weston.

One is from Port Stephens LGA - located in Tanibla Bay

11 of the total active cases are currently being cared for in hospital and zero are in ICU.

28 are linked to known infections, 10 are unlinked, and seven are still under investigation.

29 were infectious in the community, 10 were isolating while infectious and six are still under investigation.

There are 804 close contacts in isolation throughout the Hunter.

For further information visit the Hunter New England Healthwebsite. 

The Hunter New England Health District has hit triple digits, the highest recorded number to date, in COVID-19 cases.

It recorded 103 across the regions making up a quarter of the New South Wales figures at 406.

The Upper Hunter has gone a third consecutive day without any new reported cases.

The new cases take the total number in the current outbreak to 1,995. There are currently 1,146 active cases.

21 of the total active cases are currently being cared for in hospital and four are currently in ICU.

79 are linked, 15 are unlinked and nine are still under investigation.

41 were infectious in the community, 53 were isolating while infectious and nine are still under investigation.

A breakdown of today's cases:

19 are from Tamworth Regional LGA

- 8 in Tamworth

- 7 in Oxley Vale

- 3 in South Tamworth

- 1 in West Tamworth

18 are from Newcastle LGA

- 4 in Lambton

- 3 in Wallsend

- 3 in Bar Beach

- 2 in Mayfield

- 2 in Merewether

- 1 in Maryland

- 1 in Stockton

- 1 in Fletcher

- 1 in Jesmond

16 are from Cessnock LGA

- 5 in Branxton

- 4 in Cessnock

- 2 in Greta

- 1 in Abermain

- 1 in Cliftleigh

- 1 in East Branxton

- 1 in Kearsley

- 1 in Weston

15 are from Lake Macquarie LGA

- 3 in Windale

- 2 in Barnsley

- 2 in Belmont

- 2 in Macquarie Hills

- 1 in Belmont North

- 1 in Charlestown

- 1 in Cooranbong

- 1 in Edgeworth

- 1 in Gateshead

- 1 in Warners Bay

13 are from MidCoast LGA

- 9 in Taree

- 3 in Forster

- 1 in Glenthorne

12 are from Maitland LGA

- 4 in Raworth

- 2 in Rutherford

- 2 in Woodberry

- 1 in East Maitland

- 1 in Largs

- 1 in Metford

- 1 in Maitland

8 are from Port Stephens LGA

- 7 in Raymond Terrace

- 1 in Karuah

2 are from Gunnedah LGA

- 1 in Curlewis

- 1 in Gunnedah

 

 

A seven-day lockdown was announced for the Upper Hunter yesterday but when pandemonium began in the supermarkets, Dominos Owner David Bird intervened with a surprise pizza dinner for the staff.

The Muswellbrook Dominos team reached out to Woolworths, Coles, ALDI and IGA crews taking on the unexpected swarms of panicked buyers.

“We kicked into action straight away once we could see the full car parks and the line ups.”

“That is a lot of stress for everyone involved and especially for the workers on the frontline, they don’t really have a choice,” Bird said.

The mayhem began after New South Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced the one week stay-at-home orders for Muswellbrook, Singleton, Maitland, Cessnock, Dungog and Newcastle. 

Bird believes that in these stressful times it is important to keep community spirits high.

“It’s the right thing to do in a time like this. We need to stick together and help each other out where we can,” Bird said.

 The Owner’s generosity was well received by the local neighbourhood with numerous Facebook posts flooding in on Muswellbrook community groups with gratitude. 

 Bird is flattered by the received local hero status and maintains he was looking out for the people who needed it most. 

 “It was overwhelming the response that we had. I was looking at it this morning and I couldn’t believe the publicity but it wasn’t what we were looking for.”

 “We were looking for someone to get in contact with us so we could give them a free feed.”

 “There is a lot of community spirit, here in Muswellbrook, and at times like this everybody needs to stick together so if pizza is doing that, then it’s good.”

This is not the first time Bird and the Dominos team have helped in high-pressure situations. In 2019, he most notoriously helped in the major bushfires by thanking local RFS brigades with food and beverages. 

Image Credit: Mynorbejarano, Pixabay and Grant Broadcasters

With the parts of the Upper Hunter now in lockdown until 12:01am on the 13th we have made things easy by listing what you can can't do to stay compliant with the health order that is now in place.

NSW Health 

Stay-at-home order for new areas of concern

To protect the people of NSW from the evolving COVID-19 outbreak, new restrictions will be introduced for Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Port Stephens, Singleton, Dungog, Muswellbrook and Cessnock from 5pm today until 12.01am Friday 13 August.

Following updated health advice from the Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant about the growing risk to the community, stay-at-home orders will apply to all people who live in these areas, or have been there on or after 31 July 2021.

The rules for these areas are the same as those already in place across Greater Sydney, including the Central Coast.

Everyone in these areas must stay at home unless you have a reasonable excuse to leave. They also cannot have visitors in their home, except in limited circumstances. This applies to all social visits from those outside your household, including family and friends.

The reasons you may leave your home include to:

obtain food or other goods and services

- in your local government area or within 10km of your home, if reasonably practicable

- only one person per household may leave the home to obtain food or other goods and services each day (you may take a dependent person with you if that person cannot be left at home on their own).

leave home to go to work if

- you cannot reasonably work from home and

- the business is allowed to be open

leave home for education if it is not possible to do it at home, noting that schools will only be open for children of parents who cannot work from home

exercise and take outdoor recreation within your local government area or up to 10km from your home.

go out for medical or caring reasons, including for a COVID-19 test or vaccination.

Closure of retail businesses

Retail premises will be required to close (‘click and collect’, takeaway and home delivery can still operate), except for critical retail.

Masks

• Masks must be worn in all indoor areas (not including the home) and in certain outdoor settings, such as all people working outdoors or while queuing for takeaway or shopping for critical items.
• Masks do not have to be worn while travelling in a car alone or with members of your household in a car, or while exercising vigorously.
• Masks must be carried whenever a person is away from their home, even if they are not required to be wearing it.

There has just been recently released an amendment.

Please be advised the Public Health (COVID-19 Additional Restrictions for Delta Outbreak)Amendment (No 18) Order has been signed and is now available online. There are now some additions to the information I had earlier provided outline below.  

A temporary exemption is in place (and attached) to allow weddings and funerals to take place in the Newcastle and Hunter region until the beginning of 8 August. After that, and until the lifting of restrictions, weddings will not be permitted and funerals will be limited to 10 mourners.

At present, residents of Greater Sydney who leave the lockdown area to attend work more than 50km from the lockdown area are required to receive a COVID test every seven days. This will not be a requirement of the workers who go more than 50km from the Newcastle and Hunter region.

The Amending Order states that these restrictions will be repealed on 13 August, as was announced earlier today.

Be advised that keep up to date with all things Covid-19 related, use the NSW Health Website. 

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au

 

 

Photo Credit: commons.wikimedia

The Hunter and Upper Hunter will undergo another week in lockdown after COVID-19 cases continued to rise in the districts.

Today's figures confirmed there was another 24 , bringing the region total to 77.

14 are from Lake Macquarie LGA, 7 are from Newcastle LGA, 2 from Maitland LGA and 1 from Port Stephens LGA. They are all linked to previously reported cases.

12 are associated with the Residential Aged Care Facility, RFBI Hawkins Masonic Retirement Village at Edgeworth -  including 11 residents and 1 staff member.

There  were 6 active in the community while infectious.

State Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the stay-at-home orders will be in place for another seven days with lockdown expected to end next Thursday August 19.

For further information, visit the Hunter New England Health website.

Image Credit: Geralt, Pixabay.

 

 

 

 

A vaccination hub opening in Merrriwa tomorrow will be administering the Pfizer vaccine.

The clinic will be held at the School of Arts in Bow Street from 10:30am-3:30pm and is open to residents from the Upper Hunter Shire local government area. 

Upper Hunter MP Dave Layzell and the Royal Flying Doctor Service organised the clinic to assist with vaccination rates due to the low number of General Practitioners in the community. 

"A community like Merriwa need more than just one person jabbing arms. 

"We've organised for the Royal Flying Doctor Service to come down and form a clinic there. 

"It really is aimed for that Merriwa community and people of the Upper Hunter Shire Council area.

"It will be Pfizer and Pfizer only," Mr Layzell said. 

The vaccines will be administered to anybody over the ages of 12.

No appointments will be required but individuals who attend must bring their Medicare card and identification. 

Image: Coffee / Pixabay

The Muswellbrook local government area has the lowest double vaccination rates across the Hunter regions.

Upper Hunter MP Daze Layzell outlined in a data report ending from September 12 that Muswellbrook's second dosages sit at 29.9%. 

Meanwhile, the first dose rates in Muswellbrook rose significantly over the past few weeks and now sits at 63% - from its former 47.1%  in August.

The Hunter New England Health districts continue to fall short of the rest of New South Wales as part of vaccine hesitation and a lack of supplies.

Upper Hunter holds the highest double jab rates with 44.7% of the population fully vaccinated and 73.5% already having at least one.

With the state set to reopen next month when a 70% double jabbed target is reached, the Hunter could be left vulnerable if the rates fall behind.

Vaccination Rates in the Upper Hunter:

• Dungog: 73.3% 1st dose, 43.3% 2nd Dose
  
  
• Liverpool Plains: 67.9% 1st dose, 32.3% 2nd Dose
  
  
•  Maitland: 69.6% 1st dose, 38.6% 2nd Dose
  
  
• Mid-Coast: 73.5% 1st dose, 43.8% 2nd Dose
  
  
• Muswellbrook: 63.0% 1st dose, 29.9% 2nd Dose
  
  
• Singleton: 67.1% 1st dose, 33.9% 2nd Dose
  
  
• Upper Hunter: 76.3% 1st dose, 44.7% 2nd Dose

Image Credit: Pixabay

The Muswellbrook local government area has one confirmed case of COVID-19 with the expectation of further cases to be announced this coming week. 

Upper Hunter MP Dave Layzell has told Radio Hunter Valley News there as no exposure to the wider community outside of their household. 

"Expect the rest of the household to be cases in coming days but all are isolated," Mr Layzell said. 

At this current stage, there will be no changes to the eased restrictions which were introduced last week. 

A spokesperson from Hunter New England Health has also told Radio Hunter Valley News the person is 'low risk' to the community. 

They have asked anyone with the mildest of symptoms to get tested as soon as possible. 

Mr Layzell has said the investigations are ongoing. 

The Hunter New England Health District recorded 18 new cases. 

Eight are from Lake Macquarie LGA - three in Mount Hutton and Toronto. One in Booragul and in Coal Point.

Five are from Newcastle LGA - Three in Tarro and one in Mayfield and Jesmond.

Two are from Maitland LGA - located in Metford and Aberglasslyn

One is from Cessnock LGA - located in Greta

One is from Muswellbrook LGA - located in Muswellbrook.

One is from Glen Innes Severn LGA - located in Glen Innes.

11 of the total active cases are currently being cared for in hospital and zero are in ICU.

14 are linked, three are unlinked, and one is still under investigation.

12 were infectious in the community and fivewere isolating while infectious.

There are 849 close contacts are in isolation across the Hunter Region.

The newly confirmed case of COVID-19 reported in Muswellbrook is linked to the known household exposure from this week. 

A Hunter New England Health spokesperson told Radio Hunter Valley News this new case was in relation to the one reported earlier and remain a minimal risk to the wider community. 

It comes as there were 38 new confirmed infections of the virus identified across the Hunter regions. 

14 are in the Newcastle LGA

- 3 in Merewether

- 1 in Mayfield

- 1 in Wallsend

- 1 in Elermore Vale

- 1 in Newcastle

- 1 in Hamilton South

- 1 in New Lambton

- 1 in Jesmond

- 1 in Islington

- 1 in Kotara South

- 1 in Newcastle West

- 1 in Warabrook

8 in the Lake Macquarie LGA 

- 3 in Cardiff

- 2 in Toronto

- 1 in Mount Hutton

- 1 in Cooranbong

- 1 in Morriset

7 in the Cessnock LGA 

- 6 in Weston

- 1 in Branxton

5 in the Maitland LGA 

- 3 in East Maitland

- 1 in Rutherford

- 1 in Thornton

2 in the Port Stephens LGA 

- 2 in Raymond Terrace

1 in the Muswellbrook LGA 

- Muswellbrook

1 in the Mid-Coast LGA 

- Darawank

19 were infectious in the community and there were nine isolating while infectious.

10 are still under investigation.

There are 773 close contacts are in isolation throughout the Hunter.

For further information visit the Hunter New England Health website.

 

Walk-in vaccination clinics are coming to Quirindi and Werris creek this weekend. 

Liverpool Plains Shire Council, Upper Hunter MP Dave Layzell and Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson have worked with the Royal Flying Doctor Service to organize the pop-up hubs. 

Both clinics will be administering the Pfizer vaccine the ages of 12 and up, and no appointments will be required. 

Residents can cross LGA borders to receive the vaccination and anyone who attends are required to bring a Medicare card, identification and water.

It follows the success of vaccination clinics that popped up in the Upper Hunter over the past weekend. 

Merriwa, Muswellbrook and Singleton hosted their own jab sites which saw a combined total of more than 1300 residents attend.

The dates and times are listed below:

WERRIS CREEK VACCINATION CLINIC

Where: Railway Institute Hall 

When: Saturday, September 18th

Time: 10:30am-3:30pm

QUIRINDI VACCINATION CLINIC

Where: Quirindi High School Auditorium 

When: Sunday, September 19th

Time: 10:30am-3:30pm

For further information visit the Liverpool Plains Shire Council website. 

Image Credit: Pixabay

The Hunter New England Health District has reached a record high with 82 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 recorded in the past 24-hours. 

It takes the total number in the current outbreak to 919 - with currently 600 active cases.

There are 13 of the total active cases are currently being cared for in hospital and two are in ICU.

Of the new cases, 48 are linked, nine  are unlinked, and 25 are still under investigation.

There were 34 were infectious in the community, 27 isolating while infectious and 21 that are still under investigation.

There are 598 close contacts in isolation throughout the district.

A list of the newly confirmed are below:

21 are from Lake Macquarie LGA

- 4 in Edgeworth

- 2 in Woodrising

- 2 in Windale

- 2 in Belmont South

- 1 in Toronto

- 1 in Cooranbong

- 1 in Mirrabooka

- 1 in Booragul

- 1 in Charlestown

- 1 in Dudley

- 1 in Gateshead

- 1 in Glendale

- 1 in Belmont

- 1 in Marks Point

- 1 in Murrays Beach

19 are from Cessnock LGA

- 7 in Kurri Kurri

- 5 in Weston

- 2 in Cliftleigh

- 1 in Cessnock

- 1 in Heddon Greta

- 1 in Kitchener

- 1 in Laguna

- 1 in Neath

17 are from Newcastle LGA

- 3 in Wallsend

- 3 in Mayfield

- 2 in New Lambton

- 2 in Newcastle

- 1 in Merewether

- 1 in Tarro

- 1 in Adamstown

- 1 in Hamilton South

- 1 in Mayfield East

- 1 in Waratah West

- 1 in Rankin Park

17 are from Maitland LGA

- 12 in Woodberry

- 1 in Rutherford

- 1 in Thornton

- 1 in East Maitland

- 1 in South Maitland

- 1 in Farley

 4 are from Port Stephens LGA

- 2 in Raymond Terrace

- 1 in Fern Bay

- 1 in Medowie

4 are from Mid-Coast LGA

- 3 in Gloucester

- 1 in Pampoolah

 

Seven new cases of COVID-19 have been identified within the Hunter regions.

The newly announced take the total number in the current outbreak to 239 - with 109 active cases.

Two are from Lake Macquarie LGA - located in Hillsborough and Cooranbong.

Two are from Port Stephens LGA - both located within Shoal Bay and linked to their cluster. 

One is from Maitland LGA - located in Thornton.

One is from Newcastle LGA - located in Elemore Vale. This case is unlinked to known infections and is under investigation. 

One is from Mid-Coast LGA - located in Booral. This case is also of unknown origins and health experts are investigating this link.

Seven of the total active cases people are currently being cared for in hospital, while one is in ICU.

Four people were infectious while in the community and there are currently 463 close contacts in isolation.

New South Wales recorded 1,220 new locally acquired cases in the past 24-hours. 

There were eight deaths overnight including a woman in her 70s at Dubbo Hospital. 

There has been a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases across the Hunter in the past 24-hours. 

27 new cases were identified within the Hunter New England Health District, bringing the overall total in the current outbreak to 351.

Eight of the new cases are from Lake Macquarie LGA - Two in Charlestown and Mount Hutton, and one in Cardiff South, Windale, Fishing Point and Wyee Point.

Seven are from Newcastle LGA - Five in Mayfield, One in Hamilton South and Elermore Vale.

Seven are also from Maitland LGA  - Six in Tenambit and one in Beresfield.

Three are from Cessnock LGA - two in Cessnock and one in Cliftleigh.

Two are from Port Stephens LGA - one in Shoal Bay and one in Fingal Bay.

There are 13 cases that are linked to two separate clusters including the Mayfield/Charlestown and Tenambit.

The sources for these clusters is unknown.

12 people were infectious in the community, while 12 were at in isolation during their infectious period. 

Three cases are currently under investigation. 

For more information visit the Hunter New England Health website. 

The Upper Hunter regions has recorded three new COVID-19 cases in Singleton overnight.

It follows as the Hunter New England Health District identified 61 new cases. 

The newly confirmed take the overall total in the current outbreak to 2,491 - with 693 currently active.

21 of the total active cases are currently being cared for in hospital and four are currently in ICU.

33 are linked, 18 are unlinked, and 10 are still under investigation.

29 were infectious in the community and 22 were isolating while infectious.

Meanwhile, New South Wales recorded 345 locally acquired cases in the past 24-hours.

A breakdown of today's COVID-19 figures:

17 are from Newcastle LGA

- 3 from Mayfield

- 2 from Wallsend

- 1 from Adamstown

- 1 from Carrington

- 1 from Fletcher

- 1 from Hamilton South

- 1 from Maryland

- 1 from Mayfield West

- 1 from Merewether

- 1 from New Lambton

- 1 from North Lambton

- 1 from Tarro

- 1 from Tighes Hill

- 1 from Waratah West

10 are from Lake Macquarie LGA

- 2 from Belmont North

- 1 from Belmont

- 1 from Bolton Point

- 1 from Cardiff

- 1 from Cardiff Heights

- 1 from Gateshead

- 1 from Macquarie Hills

- 1 from Whitebridge

- 1 from Windale

9 are from MidCoast LGA

- 5 from Harrington

- 4 from Taree

7 are from Cessnock LGA

- 2 from Cessnock

- 1 from Abermain

- 1 from Cliftleigh

- 1 from Ellalong

- 1 from Kearsley

- 1 from Kurri Kurri

6 are from Maitland LGA

- 2 from Gillieston Heights

- 1 from East Maitland

- 1 from Rutherford

- 1 from Telarah

- 1 from Thornton

4 are from Port Stephens LGA

- 2 from Raymond Terrace

- 1 from Brandy Hill

- 1 from Medowie

4 are from Tamworth Regional LGA

- 2 from Tamworth

- 1 from East Tamworth

- 1 from Oxley Vale

3 are from Singleton LGA

- 2 from Singleton Heights

- 1 from Singleton

1 is from Dungog LGA

- 1 from Vacy

For further information visit the Hunter New England Health website. 

Image: Grant Broadcasters

Two new cases of COVID-19 have been identified within Singleton in the past 24-hours. 

It includes one in Hunterview and one in Singleton itself. 

It follows after 62 new cases were recorded across the Hunter New England Health District. 

The newly confirmed take the overall total in the current outbreak to 2,355 - with 1,049 cases currently active. 

24 of the total active cases are currently being cared for in hospital. 3 are currently in ICU.

Tragically, a man in his 40s from the Maitland LGA died in Maitland Hospital with COVID-19.

He had not received any doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.

40 were infectious in the community, 23 were isolating while infectious and three are still under investigation.

A breakdown of today's COVID-19 cases:

22 are from Lake Macquarie LGA

- 3 from Macquarie Hills

- 3 from Mount Hutton

- 2 from Cardiff Heights

- 2 Edgeworth

- 2 from Holmesville

- 2 from Windale

- 2 from Wyee

- 1 from Belmont

- 1 from Carey Bay

- 1 from Charlestown

- 1 from Toronto

- 1 from Warners Bay

- 1 from West Wallsend

10 are from Newcastle LGA

- 3 from Hamilton South

- 2 from Wallsend

- 1 from Birmingham Gardens

- 1 from Jesmond

- 1 from Mayfield

- 1 from Newcastle West

- 1 from North Lambton

8 are from Cessnock LGA

- 3 from Abermain

- 2 from Cessnock

- 1 from Aberdare

- 1 from Pelaw Main

- 1 from Weston

7 are from Maitland LGA

- 2 from Horseshoe Bend

- 2 from Woodberry

- 1 from Gillieston Heights

- 1 from Metford

- 1 from Rutherford

5 are from MidCoast LGA

- 4 from Taree

- 1 from Killabakh

5 are from Tamworth LGA

- 4 from West Tamworth

- 1 from Tamworth

3 is from Port Stephens LGA

- 3 from Raymond Terrace

2 is from Singleton LGA

- 1 from Hunterview

- 1 from Singleton

Six cases of COVID-19 were identified in the Upper Hunter regions in the past 24-hours. 

Three in Muswellbrook, two in Singleton (in Singleton and Singleton Heights) and one in the Upper Hunter Shire (Merriwa). 

A spokesperson from Hunter New England Health told Radio Hunter Valley News that five of the cases were infectious while in the community. 

One individual in Muswellbrook were completely isolated during their infectious period. 

They also confirmed risk assessment is underway and the necessary close contacts have already been informed. 

Hunter New England Health are currently analyzing any venues of concern. 

 

 

Another two cases of COVID-19 have been identified within the Upper Hunter regions. 

Hunter New England Health recorded one in the Muswellbrook LGA and one in Singleton. 

Heading north of the Valley, Gunnedah confirmed six new cases and Liverpool Plains in Werris Creek confirmed one. 

Of the new cases, 34 were infectious while in the community and 37 cases are linked to previously known clusters. 

There are 903 active cases across the Hunter regions. 

25 of the active cases are in hospital and three are in ICU. 

A breakdown of today's figures can be viewed below:

27 are from Lake Macquarie LGA

- 4 in Charlestown

- 3 in Edgeworth

- 2 in Mount Hutton

- 2 in Gateshead

- 2 in Morisset

- 2 in Belmont

- 1 in Toronto

- 1 in Blackalls Park

- 1 in Warners Bay

- 1 in Windale

- 1 in Dora Creek

- 1 in Woodrising

- 1 in Cameron Park

- 1 in Cardiff Heights

- 1 in Caves Beach

- 1 in Kahibah

- 1 in Morisset Park

- 1 in Wakefield

13 are from Maitland LGA

- 5 in Woodberry

- 3 in Ashtonfield

- 2 in Rutherford

- 1 in Cliftleigh

- 1 in Maitland

- 1 in Gillieston Heights

8 are from Newcastle LGA

- 4 in Merewether

- 1 in Wallsend

- 1 in Mayfield

- 1 in Shortland

- 1 in Elermore Vale

6 are from Gunnedah LGA

- 4 in Gunnedah -

1 in Carroll

- 1 in Kelvin

4 are from Cessnock LGA

- 3 in Cessnock

- 1 in Abermain

2 are from Port Stephens LGA

- 1 in Lemon Tree Passage

- 1 in Nelson Bay

2 are from Mid-Coast LGA

- 1 in Purfleet

- 1 in Taree

1 is from Singleton LGA

- 1 in Singleton

1 is from Muswellbrook LGA

- 1 in Muswellbrook South

1 is from Liverpool Plains LGA

- 1 in Werris Creek