Saturday: New cases and exposure sites
14th August 2021
COVID UPDATE - 11.10am Saturday August 14 There were 16 new cases recorded in the Hunter-New England health district in the 24 hours to 8pm last night. This brings the total number of cases in our health district to 95. Of those cases, 4 are from the Lake Macquarie LGA, 7 are from the Maitland LGA, 1 from the Singleton LGA and 1 from the Cessnock LGA. STATEWIDE: Of great concern, the State recorded 466 new cases in the 24 hours to 8pm last night, and four more deaths, all in Sydney. That is a new and very unwanted record. Worth noting that 26 new cases were recorded in Dubbo last night. HOSPITALISATIONS: There are 378 people currently being treated for Covid-19 in NSW hospitals, with 64 in ICU and 29 on ventilators. EXERCISE: Rules around exercise and shopping have changed in all lockdown areas, including ours. You can still shop or exercise anywhere in your LGA, but only 5km from home if you have to cross into another LGA. That is down from the previous 10km rule. REGIONAL WORK PERMITS AND HOLIDAY HOMES: Finally, the Government has moved to control people from Greater Sydney travelling to work or holiday homes in regions like ours. From now, people from Greater Sydney will need a permit to travel to a holiday home or inspect/buy real estate, and even then only one person can travel to do essential maintenance or provide for animals and pets. The same will apply to anyone travelling out of Greater Sydney for work. Those permits will be required from next Saturday but the rules will be enforced by police from tomorrow. INCREASED FINES: People found by police to have breached the Public Health Order now face fines of up to $5000, up from $1000. Fines for breaching the two-person exercise rule will increase SINGLES BUBBLES: Sadly, the 'singles bubble' rules have been tightened because of a stupid minority who are using it as a loophole to travel around, mainly in Sydney. People who live alone will now have to register their nominated visitor. I'll post that application link when the Govt finalises the process. VACCINATIONS: Anyone still having problems rebooking vaccination appointments at the Belmont hub is urged contact to Hunter-New England Health by email at: HNELHD-COVIDClinicBookingChange@health.nsw.gov.au and remember to provide your full name, address and contact number. Please stay safe, stay vigilant, and stay home unless you absolutely have to go somewhere.