Doughnut day for the Hunter, regional lockdown extended

BY JARROD MELMETH

The Hunter has recorded its first day with zero local COVID-19 cases since the outbreak began on August 5.

The good news for the Hunter comes as the state records another daily record of 1029 cases.

Due to some concerns around cases, Regional NSW including the Hunter will remain in lockdown until midnight Friday 10 September.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian has also announced a road map with freedoms unlocked as the state hits vaccination targets, which includes one set to start from September 13. 

From September 13, anyone who lives outside the LGAs of concern, outdoor gatherings of up to five people (including children, all adults must be vaccinated) will be allowed in a person's LGA or within 5km of home.

Anyone who lives in the LGAs of concern households with all adults vaccinated will be able to gather outdoors for recreation within the existing rules (for one hour only, outside curfew hours and within 5km of home).

The new freedoms do not include gathering at a persons home. It must be done in a public space.

As part of the roadmap when 70 per cent full vaccination is achieved, a range of family, industry, community and economic restrictions will be lifted for those who are vaccinated.

Once 80 per cent full vaccination is reached there will be further easing of restrictions on industry, community and the economy.

In another positive sign for the Hunter no local exposure sites were listed by health authorities overnight.

Seven 7-Eleven stores at Lambton, Shortland, Belmont North, Charlestown, Warners Bay, Marks Point and Gateshead which were previously listed as exposure sites have now been deemed as not venues of concern.

Hunter New England Health says 7-Eleven closed the stores and did the required cleaning following the notification however, the Venue Risk Assessment team has done a formal assessment on these sites and finds they are not venues of concern for the wider community.

Hunter COVID testing clinics extending hours to keep up with demand

BY JARROD MELMETH

Three of the Hunters COVID-19 testing clinics have all temporarily extended their hours after an influx of people following local coronavirus cases and exposure site.

The John Hunter Hospital, Maitland Hospital and the University drive through clinics will all stay open later as queues at a number of testing facilities form in response to the latest alerts.

Overnight Lake Munmorah Public School and Morisset High School both advised they had been visited by COVID positive students.

Target at Glendale has also been added as a COVID exposure site after a staff member tested positive to the virus. Anyone who visited the store between 8:30am and 1:30pm on Sunday, August 1 must immediately get tested.

Image: The Australian

7 Day Covid-19 Testing Blitz for Cessnock as New Testing Facility Opens Up

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Hunter New England Health is calling on Cessnock locals to increase testing rates during a seven day COVID-19 testing blitz, starting Wednesday 20th May.

A specialised COVID-19 clinic is being set up at Cessnock Hospital to assist with boosting testing numbers in the community.

 Public Health Physician Dr David Durrheim said although there have been very few cases in Hunter New England recently with restrictions lifting, the blitz will assist efforts to identify any COVID-19 virus still circulating in the community.

 “There were a cluster of COVID-19 cases identified in Cessnock during the virus peak, which makes it even more important to hunt the virus down and ensure there is no ongoing risk to the community.

 “We don’t expect to find large numbers of cases – or indeed many at all – but testing is the only way we will know for sure.

Anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms such as fever, sore throat, cough or shortness of breath, is urged to get tested.

 Even those with mild symptoms such as fatigue, new muscle aches or pains, a change in taste or smell or a new runny nose are encouraged to arrange testing.

The drive-through clinic will operate 10am to 6pm from Wednesday 20 May until Tuesday 26 May.

Bookings are essential, and people should call 49910436 to register before attending. The clinic is available for a limited time but may be extended depending on demand.

Dr Durrheim has also asked that anyone who has symptoms to isolate at home until they have received further advice from their GP or the hospital.

With the large number of people being tested across the District it can take up to 72 hours to receive results, so people are being urged to be patient while they wait.

Clinics at Maitland, Calvary Mater Newcastle, John Hunter, and Belmont hospitals are also available for Newcastle and Hunter locals.

                                              Image Credit: Australian Medical Association

Hunter New England Health Ordering 'Testing Blitz' in Lake Macquarie

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Testing for Covid-19 is to be increased in  Lake Macquarie, with 3 cases confirmed in the area where the source is unknown. 

Hunter New England Local Health is calling on locals with fever or recent onset respiratory symptoms to contact their GP, private pathology laboratories, or the free COVID-19 clinics at Belmont or John Hunter hospitals for screening.  

Testing will focus on residents from Valentine, Belmont, Mt Hutton, Windale and Croudace Bay. 

 

Public Health Physician, Dr David Durrheim said the screening blitz in eastern Lake Macquarie will give the District the best chance of identifying a potential cluster early, and help stop the spread of COVID-19. 

 

“We’ve identified some positive cases of COVID-19 in eastern Lake Macquarie where we don’t know the source of the infection,” he says.  

 

“So it is now important we test this community widely to see if there is genuine community transmission. Extensive contact tracing and quarantining is vital, and identifying transmission early is our best chance at slowing the spread of COVID-19 in the community." 

 

He says those with symptoms or who've recently traveled internationally, or on a cruise ship, or been in touch with a person confirmed to have COVID-19 should call one of the clinics, or contact their local GP for screening and testing. 

 

Dr Durrheim has also asked that anyone who is exhibiting symptoms to isolate at home, and call ahead when attending GPs and clinics for testing.  

 

The Belmont Hospital Clinic is a drive-through service where people are screened via phone before presenting. For screening, please call 4923 2211 between 8am-4.00pm, seven days a week. 

 

The John Hunter Hospital Clinic is currently operating seven days per week, Monday through Sunday, from 8am-10.30pm.

 Signage at the hospital’s main entrance will direct people to the nearby screening station. 

 

Hunter New England Health is also operating clinics at Calvary Mater Newcastle, Maitland, and Manning hospitals.

                               Image Credit: Club Marine Australia 

New HIV testing initiative could save lives

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A new HIV testing initiative is now being used throughout the Hunter New England region in a bid to improve the screening rate for the disease.

The new test known as "dried blood spot testing" could help many detect the disease early using a test kit in their own home.

Using the "dried blood spot testing" method, people can order a test kit online, prick their finger and send the blood to a clinic in Sydney - all without leaving the privacy of their own homes.

An early diagnosis really can save lives, and Hunter New England Health's Clinical Director of Sexual Health Nathan Ryder believes this at home test kit could be the key to more people being able to detect the disease early.

"The main benefit we see is the accessibility which really comes down to the importance of HIV testing. A lot of people didn't know to this day that you can diagnose early and if you start treatment early you can expect to live a long and healthy life than if you delay, and you put off having that test until you get sick."

The initiative will provide greater access to testing in a wider area for at-risk people, particularly those who are reluctant to test for HIV that people can do in the privacy of their own homes.

"Some people that are at risk of HIV might be unwilling to discuss that with their GP and so by being able to do a test in the privacy of your own home, it has made HIV testing more widely available. The other thing across our region is that there are some people that might find it tricky to get to a medical clinic and this way they will be able to do it at home without having to travel long distances," said Nathan Ryder.

For more information on the testing kits head to www.hivtest.health.nsw.gov.au 

Image abc.net.au