Covid update Thursday: lockdown extended
26th August 2021
ZERO NEW LOCAL CASES BUT LOCKDOWN EXTENDED 
COVID UPDATE - 11.15am THURSDAY August 26 The Premier has just announced that current restrictions in the Lake Macquarie and Hunter Region, and throughout all of regional NSW, will be extended by two weeks to September 10. However, the door has been left open to our region coming out of restrictions early if new case numbers can be kept to zero. The Premier has also announced that from Septrember 13, people who are double vaccinated will be allowed to gather in outdoor settings with five people from outside of their household. I will post more details on this when I have them. Zero new cases in the region yesterday and that's fantastic news. We still have 110 active cases, all of whom are in isolation. We also have 700 people in isolation who were close contacts of confirmed cases, so we still have a little way to go before we're out of the woods. 31 local people are currently being cared for in hospital with none in ICU. STATEWIDE: There was a record 1029 new cases recorded throughout NSW in the 24 hours to 8pm last night. Western NSW remains an area of great concern with another 35 new cases yesterday. Sadly, three more deaths were recorded in Sydney overnight. HOSPITALISATIONS: There are 698 people currently being treated for Covid-19 in NSW hospitals, with 116 in ICU and 43 on ventilators. WINDALE MAN CHARGED: The resident of the Windale apartment complex who breached orders by travelling to western Sydney where he contracted Covid-19 has been charged by police. Meanwhile, police issued $1000 fines to four other men at the same apartment complex after they were found breaching orders by gathering for a party during the apartment building's lockdown. So far, all other residents living at the complex have tested negative to the virus, so that's certainly some good news. EXPOSURE SITES: HNE Health today moved to assure the local community that a number of 7-Eleven service stations in the region are not current exposure sites. 7-Eleven closed stores at Belmont South, Charlestown, Shortland and Lambton for deep cleaning on Monday after they were visited by a delivery driver who later tested positive to Covid. Those who were considered close or casual contacts have all been contacted for isolation and testing and the sites are no longer venues of concern for the wider community. QUESTIONS: My small team and I are still working through thousands of emails, phone and Facebook messages so I apologise if you haven't received a response yet. We're still hopeful of responding to everyone, but please see my Facebook or Website pages for answers to frequently asked questions. Service NSW also has a 24/7 hotline where people are available to answer questions. You can reach them on 13 77 88. Please stay safe, stay vigilant, and stay home unless you absolutely have to go somewhere.