Hunter records another day of high COVID-19 cases, as active cases take a dive

BY JARROD MELMETH

It's another day of high COVID-19 case numbers for the Hunter with 79 announced on Thursday.

The Hunter New England Health District is the states largest source of COVID infections. In second is South Western Sydney with 51 new cases.

There are currently 838 active cases across the region, down from 1,010 on Wednesday. 21 of the active cases are being cared for in hospital, including four in intensive care.

Of Thursday's cases, 41 were infectious in the community, while 51 are linked to existing cases.

Health authorities say they're seeing  transmission occurring in indoor settings such as gyms and households, including in fully vaccinated people.

CASE BREAKDOWN

LAKE MACQUARIE - 18

Belmont North 3, Valentine 3, Toronto 2, Windale 1, Cameron Park 1, Cardiff 1, Morisset 1, Swansea 1, Tingara Heights 1, Warners Bay 1, Whitebridge 1, Gateshead 1.

NEWCASTLE - 17

Mayfield 3, North Lambton 3, Elermore Vale 2, Hamilton South 2, Carrington 1, Georgetown 1, Maryville 1, New Lambton 1, Newcastle East 1, The Hill 1, Wallsend 1.

TAMWORTH - 11

East Tamworth 4, South Tamworth 2, West Tamworth 2, Oxley Vale 1, Tamworth 1, Warral.

PORT STEPHENS - 8

Raymond Terrace 5, Mallabula 1, Soldiers Point 1, Tanilba Bay 1.

MAITLAND - 7

Woodberry 4, East Maitland 1, Maitland 1, Tenambit 1.

CESSNOCK - 6

Kurri Kurri 3, Cessnock 2, Aberdare 1.

MID COAST - 5

Chatham 2, Harrington 1, Old Bar 1, Taree 1.

DUNGOG - 2

Martins Creek 1, Clarencetown 1.

MOREE - 2

Moree 2.

ARMIDALE - 1

Armidale 1.

SINGLETON - 1

Hunterview 1.

TENTERFIELD - 1

Woodside 1.

STATWIDE

NSW has recorded 293 new cases and two deaths across the state.

Vaccination rates are currently at 93.3 per cent single dose and 86 per cent double dose.

EXPOSURE SITES

There are no exposure sites to report