Covid update - Monday

There were 294 new cases reported statewide in the past 24 hours, with 59 of those in the Hunter-New England health district, including 16 in Lake Macquarie. These new cases take the total number in the latest Hunter outbreak to 2680.

OF THOSE NEW CASES IN THE HNE HEALTH DISTRICT:

19 are from Newcastle LGA

- 4 from Elermore Vale

- 3 from Maryland

- 2 from Carrington

- 2 from Jesmond

- 2 from Mayfield

- 1 from Hamilton South

- 1 from Islington

- 1 from Mayfield West

- 1 from Merewether

- 1 from The Hill

- 1 from Tighes Hill

16 are from Lake Macquarie LGA

- 5 from Bolton Point

- 3 from Windale

- 1 from Belmont South

- 1 from Blacksmiths

- 1 from Cardiff

- 1 from Cardiff South

- 1 from Carey Bay

- 1 from Charlestown

- 1 from Gateshead

- 1 from Morisset

7 are from Cessnock LGA

- 2 from Mulbring

- 1 from Cessnock

- 1 from Cliftleigh

- 1 from Kurri Kurri

- 1 from Millfield

- 1 from Weston

6 are from Port Stephens LGA

- 5 from Raymond Terrace

- 1 from Tomago

4 are from Maitland LGA

- 2 from Thornton

- 1 from Gillieston Heights

- 1 from Rutherford

2 are from Armidale LGA

- 2 from Armidale

1 is from MidCoast LGA

- 1 from Harrington

1 is from Singleton LGA

- 1 from Singleton

1 is from Dungog LGA

- 1 from Clarence Town

1 is from Tamworth Regional LGA

- 1 from Hillvue

1 is from Moree Plains LGA

- 1 from Moree

27 of the total active cases are currently being

cared for in hospital. 6 are currently in ICU.

46 cases are linked, 9 are unlinked, 4 are still

under investigation.

40 were infectious in the community. 15 were

isolating while infectious. 4 are still under

investigation.

STATEWIDE:

- 93% of people aged 16+ have had one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine

- 84.8% of people aged 16+ have had two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine

- 59,612 tests

- 294 new locally acquired cases

- 0 new overseas acquired cases

- 474 people in hospital

- 116 people in ICU

- 4 deaths

VACCINATIONS IN LAKE MACQUARIE: The first dose vaccination rate in Lake Macquarie for people aged 15+ is now more than 96%, which is fantastic. More than 83% are fully vaccinated. We now have great capacity for vaccinations locally for those who haven't had one yet. The Moderna vaccine is available at a number of local pharmacies while Pfizer is readily available at many GP clinics - in fact the Boulevard Family Practice vax hub on Brighton Ave at Toronto has walk-ins for Pfizer available today and every day this week (ph 0436 817 128).

SCHOOLS CLOSE: With schools reopening today for thousands of local kids, it's unfortunate that three Hunter Region schools have had to close for a deep clean ((Thornton Public, Irrawang Public and Mayfield West Public). Unfortunately, this is going to be a regular occurrence as our communities are opened up further. The Education Minister has flagged changes to the isolation requirements of fully-vaxed parents if their children become close contacts of a case at school. Those changes are likely to be announced today and I will post details when I have them. There is currently no vaccine approved for primary school-aged children but some are nearing the end of their testing phases globally. It's important to remember though that Covid's Delta variant has not been a severe disease for children.

EXPOSURE SITES: New exposure sites named by HNE Health overnight include the Windale Community Centre, Cessnock Police Station and sites at Charlestown and Hamilton. Full details on the new sites (including a link to the full list at NSW Health) are on my website HERE.

TESTING: Testing remains a really important part of our battle with Covid-19. Please don't be complacent. If you experience any symptoms, get tested as soon as possible.

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.