Lake Macquarie man dies with COVID-19, as the Hunter records 65 new cases

BY JARROD MELMETH

A man from Lake Macquarie has died with COVID-19, as the Hunter records 65 new cases.

The man in his 80s died at home and becomes the regions seventh death since the current outbreak began on August 5.

The 65 new cases have been recorded across the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock, Maitland, Port Stephens, Muswellbrook, Singleton and Mid-Coast local government areas.

26 were infectious in the community, 40 are linked to current cases and 20 are being cared for in hospital, including one in intensive care.

Hunter New England Health have announced, from Tuesday 5 October, walk-in COVID testing for the public will no longer be available at the John Hunter Hospital and Calvary Mater at Waratah. This is due to the increasing number of positive cases in the community which health authorities say poses an additional risk at walk-in clinics. For those without vehicles, walk-in appointments will be accommodated at the already existing drive through clinics.

CASE BREAKDOWN

NEWCASTLE - 21

Jesmond 4, Hamilton 3, Wallsend 3, Hamilton North 2, Mayfield 2, Warabrook 2, Adamstown 1, Birmingham Gardens 1, Cooks Hill 1, New Lambton 1 and Waratah 1.

LAKE MACQUARIE - 25

Mount Hutton 5, Warners Bay 3, Blackalls Park 2, Charlestown 2, Marks Point 2, Toronto 2, Windale 2, Wyee 2, Bolton Point 1, Cardiff 1, Dora Creek 1, Gateshead 1 and Teralba 1.

CESSNOCK - 1

Kurri Kurri 1.

MAITLAND - 13

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

PORT STEPHENS - 2

Medowie 1 and Lemon Tree Passage 1.

SINGLETON - 1

Singleton 1.

MUSWELLBROOK - 1

Muswellbrook 1.

MID-COAST - 1

Purfleet 1.

STATWIDE

NSW recorded 813 new local COVID cases and a further ten deaths.

The vaccination rate is currently at 87.7 per cent one dose and 65.2 per cent double dose.

EXPOSURE SITES

A number of COVID exposure sites have been listed overnight including at Denman, Beresfield, Lambton, Belmont and Singleton.

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.

• Denman Engineering on Friday 24 September between 7:30am - 4:30pm
• Greater Bank, Beresfield on Friday 24 September between 10:25am - 10:50am
• The Royal Hotel, Denman (Beer Garden) on Friday 24 September between 1:20pm - 2:50pm
• Elder Street Practice, Lambton on Tuesday 28 September between 3:20pm - 4:15pm
• Commonwealth Bank, Belmont on 27 September between 9:30am - 10:30am
• Singleton Toyota 
• Friday 24 September between 8am - 5pm
• Monday 27 September between 8am - 1:30pm
• Tuesday 28 September between 8am - 2pm