98 new COVID-19 cases across the Hunter, Cessnock and Lake Macquarie areas of concern

BY JARROD MELMETH

The Hunter has recorded 98 new local COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of cases since August 5 to 1630.

41 of the 98 new cases were infectious in the community, 48 are linked to existing cases and 28 of the total active cases are being cared for in hospital, including three in ICU. There are currently 1074 active cases.

Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant says the Hunter remains an area of concern, particularly in Cessnock and Lake Macquarie where case numbers continue to rise.

Hunter New England Health have announced, due to increasing number of cases and the risk to patients and staff, walk-in COVID testing at Maitland Hospital will no longer be available from Monday 11 October.

CASE BREAKDOWN

LAKE MACQUARIE - 28

Belmont North 2, Belmont South 1, Bolton Point 5, Bonnells Bay 1, Charlestown 1, Gateshead 1, Morisset 1, Mount Hutton 2, Swansea 1, Toronto 3, Warners Bay 2 and Windale 8.

CESSNOCK - 24

Aberdare 2, Abermain 3, Cessnock, Cliftleight 2, Congewei 1, East Branxton 1, Ellalong 1, Kearsley 1, Kurri Kurri 1, Lovedale 1, Paxton 1 and Weston 2.

NEWCASTLE - 15

Cooks Hill 1, Fletcher 1, Hamilton East 2, Lambton 1, Mayfield 2, Merewether 3, Merewether Heights 1, Shortland 1, Wallsend 1, Waratah 1 and Waratah West 1.

MAITLAND - 13

Aberglasslyn 2, Bolwarra Heights 1, East Maitland 3, Maitland 2, Rutherford 1, Thornton 3 and Woodberry 1.

TAMWORTH - 5

Calala 1, Oxley Vale 2, South Tamworth 1 and West Tamworth 1.

MID-COAST - 4

Purfleet 1 and Taree 3.

MUSWELLBROOK - 4

Muswellbrook 3 and Muswellbrook 1.

GLENN INNES SEVERN - 1

Emmaville 1.

SINGLETON - 1

Broke 1.

PORT STEPHENS - 1

Karuah 1.

GUNNEDAH - 1

Gunnedah 1.

UPPER HUNTER SHIRE - 1

Green Creek 1.

STATWIDE

NSW recorded 580 cases and eleven deaths.

The vaccination rates are currently at 89.8 per cent single dose and 71.5 per cent double dose.

The states Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant has revealed health authorities have uncovered eight new local COVID-19 infections of a different Delta Strain. She says preliminary investigations into the new strain show no cause for concern and investigations are continuing.

EXPOSURE SITES

There are no local exposure sites to report.