The Hunter has suffered a serious spike in daily COVID-19 case numbers, recording 63 to 8pm on Monday night.
The cases are spread across every Hunter local government area except for Dungog.
By suburb, the new local cases are from Merewether 3, Warabrook 3, Cooks Hill 2, Mayfield 1, Elermore Vale 1, Newcastle 1, Adamstown Heights 1, Birmingham Gardens 1, Kotara 1, North Lambton 1, Georgetown 1, Hamilton North 1, Stockton 1, Beresfield 1, Cardiff 4, Blackalls Park 2, Cardiff South 2, Macquarie Hills 1, Windermere Park 1, Lakelands 1, Marmong Point 1, Metford 5, Thornton 3, East Maitland 2, Woodberry 2, Rutherford 1, Raymond Terrace 4, Medowie 1, Lemon Tree Passage 1, Weston 2, Kurri Kurri 1, Heddon Greta 1, Muswellbrook 1, Wattle Ponds 1 and Aberdeen 1.
35 of the new cases were infectious in the community, 38 are linked to existing cases and 14 are being cared for in hospital.
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazard has put the Upper Hunter region on notice, saying it it likely they could go back into lockdown as early as today.
Statewide, NSW recorded another 863 cases and seven deaths. Vaccination rates are currently at 60.4 double dose and 85.7 per cent single dose.
A number of COVID exposure sites have been listed overnight including at Scone, Muswellbrook, Beresfield and Charlestown.
Anyone who attended the following venues at the specified dates and times is considered a casual contact and must get tested and isolate until a negative result is received.
- Marsh Carney Saddlery, Scone on Thursday 23 September between 11:50am - 12:10pm
- Pharmacy Select, Muswellbrook Fair Shopping Centre
- Wednesday 22 September between 12pm - 12:20pm
- Thursday 23 September between 11am - 11:15am
- Hungry Jacks, Beresfield (in store)
- Thursday 23 September between 3:45am - 12:35pm
- Friday 24 September between 4:40am - 2:45pm
- Chemist Warehouse, Charlestown
- Monday 20 September between 7:40pm - 7:55pm
- Wednesday 22 September between 6:25pm - 6:45pm
