Hunter records six new COVID-19 Cases

BY JARROD MELMETH

NSW has recorded 284 cases of COVID-19 to 8pm Sunday night, with at least 64 infectious within the community.

Over 133,000 tests were conducted in 24 hours, with some of the Hunters results coming through in these numbers. Its predicted the extent of COVID in the Hunter will be known in the coming days with the high volume of testing finally making its way through the labs.

Of the 284 cases recorded, six are in the Hunter with three under investigation. This brings the regions case numbers to 23 and 26 for the wider Hunter New England Health District.

Tamworth will go into a snap seven day lockdown as a result of a COVID-positive woman who contracted the virus in Newcastle travelling to the region before lockdown for the Hunter was announced. The woman visited a number of venues which are now listed as COVID exposure sites in Tamworth.

NSW Health are concerned about a number of new COVID exposure sites in the Hunter which includes:

• Mr Rice Takeaway on Darby Street Cooks Hill between 3.00pm and 3.20pm last Wednesday 
• Habesha Ethiopian Restaurant at any time between Saturday the 31st of July and Thursday the 5th of August 

Anyone who visited either venue during those time is considered a close contact and must get tested and isolate for 14 days regardless of the result. 

Other venues of concern also include:

• Dominos at Mayfield last Wednesday between 6.30pm and 6.35pm
• Coles Medowie last Wednesday between 6.15pm and 6.45pm
• Aldi at Raymond Terrace last Thursday between 4.05am and 4.30am
• the Metro Service Station at Williamtown on Friday between 11am and 11.20am

Anyone who visited any of these venues is considered a casual contact and must get tested and isolate until a negative result is received.