One death in Newcastle as COVID cases plateau

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The Hunter New England Health District has recorded 1,365 new COVID cases today and 1 death.

This brings the region to 111 cases in hospital, with eight people in intensive care. 

Sadly, a woman in her nineties from Newcastle has passed away overnight. 

Across New South Wales, health has recorded 29,504 new COVID cases and 17 deaths.

This brings the State to 2,776 cases in hospital, with 203 in intensive care.

More than 26 percent of adults have now received three shots of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Omicron Covid Case Confirmed In The Hunter

 BY IAN CROUCH

NSW Health says there are now 24 people with COVID-19 linked to the Argyle House nightclub in Newcastle and one is likely to have the Omicron variant.

Health authorities say a young woman who returned from the UK has been self-isolating in the Hunter since becoming infectious, along with her close household contacts.  

It's believed she's not inked to the Argyle cluster.

It's prompted an update to the health advice - anyone who was at the nightclub between 9pm last Wednesday and 3am on Thursday is now a close contact and should get tested immediately and self-isolate for 7 days if fully vaccinated or 14 days if not.

680 people visited the venue during this time.

Public Health Physician DR David Durrheim says it's likely more cases with the Omicron variant will occur.

"We should probably prepare ourselves that we are going to get more Omicron cases coming in from overseas with open borders and it's very important therefore that we don't ignore even the mildest of symptoms," he said.