Covid update: 11am Monday


16th August 2021
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
¿ 16 NEW LOCAL CASES in HUNTER REGION / FAQs ¿
¿ COVID UPDATE - 11.05am Monday August 16 ¿
¿ 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 120.
¿ Of those 16 cases, 8 are from the Maitland LGA, 5 from the Newcastle LGA, 2 from the Lake Macquarie LGA and 1 from Port Stephens LGA.
¿ Three of those cases are still under investigation but the remaining 13 are all linked to previously reported cases. Six of the 13 cases were infectious in the community for all or part of their infectious period before their positive test. Two cases are associated with the aged care cluster.
¿ STATEWIDE: The State recorded 478 new cases in the 24 hours to 8pm last night, and 7 more deaths, all in Sydney, including that of a 15-year-old boy.
¿ HOSPITALISATIONS: There are 391 people currently being treated for Covid-19 in NSW hospitals, with 66 in ICU and 28 on ventilators.
¿ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: I posted answers to the most frequently asked questions on the new rules and restrictions yesterday but they're also on my website. This includes things like the exercise and shopping rule, child care and visitation rules, fishing and boating. See the FAQs here.
¿ WORK PERMITS: On Saturday, the Government announced that "all persons leaving Greater Sydney (including the Central Coast) for work" will need a permit to enter regional NSW. The intention was to manage workers leaving Sydney's hotspot areas but it has also captured the large number of people who live on the Central Coast and work in Lake Macquarie and Newcastle. The Government has informed me this morning that the concerns have been noted and that lawyers are still finalising the actual change to the Public Health Order, so we won't have a clear answer on that until late today or tomorrow. What we do know at the moment is that a permit will not be required for people who live in the Hunter and work in Greater Sydney and the Central Coast. I will post details when the Government releases the actual rule.
¿ AUSGRID OUTAGES: A few people have raised concerns with me about planned power outages while people are working and schooling from home. I have contacted Ausgrid with a view to getting these outages postponed. I'm waiting on a response but will let you know that comes.
¿ FINES: New fines for breaches of the Public Health Order take effect today. 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 to $3000. Details are on yesterday's post on my page Greg Piper MP.
¿ EXPOSURE SITES: @HNE Health has issued a number of new exposure sites. Those new sites can be found here: http://www.gregpiper1.com/index.cfm?module=news...
¿ 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.

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