Covid update - Wednesday

Another 11 new cases were reported in the Hunter Region in the 24 hours to 8pm last night.

This brings the total number of cases in the local outbreak to 250. There are currently 123 active cases in the region, which means that 126 local people have now fully recovered from the virus and the local death toll remains at 1 in the current outbreak.

Of those new cases:

5 are from Lake Macquarie LGA

4 in Wyee Point

2 were infectious in the community

2 were isolating while infectious

2 are unlinked. 2 are linked to household

1 in Swansea Heads

Was isolating while infectious

Linked to a household contact

3 are from Port Stephens LGA

1 in Salamander Bay

Was infectious in community

Unlinked. Investigations ongoing

1 in Shoal Bay

Was isolating while infectious

Linked to a household

1 in Nelson Bay

Was isolating while infectious

Linked to a household contact

2 are from Newcastle LGA

1 in Shortland

Was infectious in community

Linked to Dubbo exposure

1 in Tarro

Was isolating while infectious

Linked to a Thornton household cluster

1 is from Dungog LGA

1 in Dungog

Was infectious in community

Unlinked (worked at Upper Hunter mine)

Nine local people are currently being cared for in hospital, with one of those people in ICU.

There are 529 close contacts of local cases who are in isolation.

STATEWIDE: There were 1480 new cases reported throughout NSW in the 24 hours to 8pm last night. Sadly, nine more deaths were recorded over the past 24 hours, all in the Sydney region.

HOSPITALISATIONS: There are 1136 people currently being treated for Covid-19 in NSW hospitals, with 194 in ICU and 78 requiring ventilators.

LOCKDOWN: While I have no inside knowledge of these things, I highly doubt we'll see restrictions lifted this weekend given the number of cases still in the region. We can expect an announcement from the Premier tomorrow.

INFECTIOUS IN COMMUNITY: I just wanted to explain what that term means because I think a lot of people are misunderstanding it. If someone who has tested positive to the virus was 'infectious in the community', it doesn't necessarily mean they've been breaking isolating rules. In almost all cases, it means they were unknowingly infectious before they or a household contact had tested positive. For example, a man contracts the virus unknowingly at work. The next day, he and his wife go out to do essential shopping or exercise together. The next day, the man tests positive. Both the man and his wife have to isolate. Three days later his wife tests positive while in isolation. They were both therefore infectious in community before any test. I hope that explains things!

EXPOSURE SITES: Hunter-New England Health has named a number of new exposure sites over the past 24 hours. Fortunately, none are in the Lake Macquarie area but they include sites at Shoal Bay, East Maitland, Mayfield, Thornton and Nelson Bay. You can read more details of those cases here.

MORISSET DAY CARE CENTRE: A number of people have contacted me about a possible exposure site at Community Kids Morisset day care centre but there is no cause for alarm. The centre was visited by an unknowingly Covid-positive parent on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday of last week. The child of that parent has tested negative, but five staff at the centre who had face to face contact with the parent have been required to get tested and isolate for 14 days. There was no other contact between the parent and staff or other children. The centre remains open and HNE Health has said there was no risk posed to anyone else at the centre during the brief exposure times.

TESTING: Testing numbers in the local area are again low. Please get tested if you experience the mildest of symptoms, particularly if you've been near any of the exposure locations.

QUESTIONS: 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.

STAY SAFE, stay vigilant, and stay home unless you absolutely have to go somewhere.