BY JARROD MELMETH
79 fresh COVID-19 cases have were announced across the Hunter on Friday, bringing the regions total number of infections to 2,074 since August 5.
There are currently 1,115 active cases across the region, of which 25 are being cared for in hospital, including five in intensive care.
Of Friday's cases, 43 were infectious in the community, while 54 are linked to existing cases.
Travel to the regions for people from Sydney, including the Central Coast has been pushed back to November 1, due to the low vaccination rates outside of the states capital.
Travel to the regions was due to be included in the freedoms unlocked at 80 per cent fully vaccinated, a target which is likely to be met this weekend.
CASE BREAKDOWN
NEWCASTLE - 25
Wallsend 11, Hamilton South 2, Merewether 2, New Lambton 2, Fletcher 1, Lambton 1, Maryland 1, Mayfield East 1, Mayfield West 1, Newcastle 1, Newcastle West 1 and Wallsend South 1.
LAKE MACQUARIE - 11
Macquarie Hills 3, Belmont South 1, Speers Point 1, Cardiff Heights 1, Mount Hutton 1, Toronto 1 and Windale 1.
MAITLAND - 11
Telarah 7, Largs 1, Maitland 1, Raworth 1 and Rutherford 1.
CESSNOCK - 10
Cessnock 6, Abermain 1, Greta 1 Pelaw Main 1 and Weston 1.
TAMWORTH - 9
West Tamworth 1, Tamworth 3, South Tamworth 1 and Hillvue 1.
MID-COAST - 9
Taree 7, Cundletown 1 and Tea Gardens 1.
PORT STEPHENS - 3
Fern Bay 1, Raymond Terrace 1 and Williamtown 1.
GUNNEDAH -
Curlewis 1.
STATWIDE
NSW recorded 399 cases and four deaths on Friday.
The vaccination rate is currently at 77.8 per cent double dose and 91.4 per cent single dose.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet announced on Friday morning, the scrapping of hotel quarantine for fully vaccinated international travelers. People arriving into the state who wish to skip hotel quarantine will need to be fully vaccinated and return a negative COVID test.
EXPOSURE SITES
A number of COVID exposure sites have been listed overnight including at Rutherford, Kurri Kurri, Charlestown, Cessnock and Jesmond.
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.
- Whizzer's Hairdressing for Men, Rutherford on Wednesday 13 October between 5:30am - 5:50am
- Priceline Pharmacy, Kurri Kurri on Friday 8 October between 9:10am - 9:20am
- Charlestown Square Medical Centre on Monday 11 October between 9:30am - 10:15am
- Laverty Pathology, Cessnock on Monday 11 October between 9:45am - 10am
- Hotel Jesmond on Tuesday 12 October between 7:20pm - 8:45pm
- Cessnock Courthouse (indoor waiting areas) on Wednesday 6 October between 11:30am - 3:15pm
