BY JARROD MELMETH
The Hunter has recorded 45 new local COVID-19 cases on Sunday, bringing the regions total to 673 since August 5.
Today's cases are across the Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, Cessnock, Maitland, Singleton and Mid-Coast local government areas.
By suburb, the new cases are from Edgeworth 3, Mount Hutton 3, Blackalls Park 2, Bonnells Bay 2, Toronto 1, Cardiff 1, Mirrabooka 1, Dora Creek 1, Lakelands 1, Teralba 1, Valentine 1, Windermere Park 1, Yarrawonga 1, New Lambton 3, Mayfield 2, Cooks Hill 2, Wallsend 1, Merewether 1, Newcastle East 1, Bar Beach 1, North Lambton 1, Islington 1, Adamstown Heights 1, Maryland 1, Kurri Kurri 3, Weston 1, Cessnock 1, Tenambit 2, South Maitland 1, Farley 1, Gowrie 1, and Darawank 1.
28 cases were infectious in the community, 32 are linked to existing ones and 13 are being cared for in hospital, including one in intensive care.
The Singleton cases recorded on Saturday and Sunday have prompted a number of exposure sites to be listed and has raised concerns with health authorities. It follows the local government area recently coming out of lockdown.
Upper Hunter MP Dave Layzell says he has spoken with the NSW Health Minister who says health authorities are undertaking a risk assessment. The Public Health team will be working through the weekend to ascertain if there are any further exposure sites and what risk has been posed the the community.
Statewide, NSW recorded 961 new cases and nine more deaths.
The state vaccination rates are at 59.2 per cent double dose, and 85.2 per cent first dose.
A number of COVID exposure sites have been listed overnight including at Singleton, Branxton, Toronto, Kurri Kurri and Cessnock.
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.
- Imperial Hotel, Singleton (bar & gaming area) on Sunday 19 September between 12:15pm - 12:45pm
- Nikinpa Aboriginal Family & Childcare Centre, Toronto on Saturday 18 September between 9am - 3:30pm
- Coles Huntlee, Branxton on Tuesday 21 September between 6am - 9am
- McDonalds, Kurri Kurri (in-store only)
- Thursday 16 September between 11:30am - 4pm
- Monday 20 September between 8am - 3pm
- Wednesday 22 September between 8am - 4pm
- McDonalds, Cessnock (in-store only)
- Tuesday 14 September between 9am - 5:30pm
- Wednesday 15 September between 6am - 2pm
- Thursday 16 September between 3pm - 11pm
- Friday 17 September between 9am - 5:30pm
- Saturday 18 September between 9am - 5pm
- Monday 20 September between 6am - 2pm
- Tuesday 21 September between 3pm - 11pm
