Two dead with COVID-19, as the Hunter records 71 new cases

BY JARROD MELMETH 

Two people from the Hunter have died with COVID-19, as the region records 73 new cases.

The two people who have died with the virus are from the Cessnock and Newcastle areas. One was a woman in her 50's who died at the Calvary Mater Hospital at Waratah. The Second was a woman in her 70's from Cessnock who died at the John Hunter Hospital. Both were double vaccinated but had underlying health issues.

The only other local health district that recorded higher daily numbers than the Hunter was Sydney with 74 cases announced on Sunday.

Of the 73 new cases recorded on Saturday, 27 were infectious in the community and 45 are linked to existing cases. 26 of the total 1,061 active cases are being cared for in hospital, including three in ICU.

CASE BREAKDOWN

NEWCASTLE - 19

Bar Beach 2, Jesmond 2, Merewether 2, Mayfield 2, New Lambton 2, Wallsend 2, Cooks Hill 1, Elermore Vale 1, Fletcher 1, Hamilton 1, Hamilton South 1, Newcastle West 1 and Newcastle 1.

MAITLAND - 17

Horseshoe Bend 3, Maitland 3, Rutherford 3, Thornton 3, Gillieston Heights 2, East Maitland 1, Metford 1 and Raworth 1.

LAKE MACQUARIE - 16

Speers Point 3, Edgeworth 2, Barnsley 1, Belmont 1, Belmont South 1, Cardiff South 1, Charlestown 1, Marks Point 1, Mount Hutton 1, Teralba 1, Valentine 1, Warners Bay 1 and Windale 1.

CESSNOCK - 12

Paxton 3, Cessnock 2, Aberdare 1, Bellbird Heights 1, East Cessnock 1, Ellalong 1, Greta 1, Mount Vincent 1 and Pelaw Main 1.

MID COAST - 6

Taree 2, Forster 1, Tuncurry 1, Cedar Party 1 and Wingham 1.

PORT STEPHENS - 2

Raymond Terrace 1 and Williamtown 1.

SINGLETON - 1

Singleton 1.

STATWIDE

NSW has recorded another drop in case numbers with 301 cases and ten deaths announced on Sunday.

The state has hit the 80 per cent double dose vaccination rate, which will see more freedoms unlocked on Monday. These new freedoms for the fully vaccinated include masks no longer being mandatory in office buildings, increase of visitors to a home from 10 to 20, carpooling permitted, outdoor gatherings up to 50 people and community sport permitted with capacity limits.

Single dose vaccinations are currently at 91.9 per cent.

EXPOSURE SITES

A number of COVID exposure sites have been listed overnight including at Shortland, Tenambit and Rutherford.

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.

• Shortland Hotel on Monday 11 October between 6:55pm - 7:50pm
• The Regal Inn, Tenambit on Tuesday 12 October between 4:45pm - 6pm
• Beaumont Tiles, Rutherford on Monday 11 October between 7:30am - 5pm
• Hunter Valley Motor Sports, Rutherford on Wednesday 13 September between 9:45am - 10:10am