Covid outbreak - FAQs


15th December 2021
We're likely to see another increase in case numbers today following the new clusters in Newcastle. I've put together a few links below which cover the most frequently asked questions.
¿ We're likely to see another increase in case numbers today following the new clusters in Newcastle. The State has recorded 1360 new cases in the past 24 hours and I imagine several hundred of those will be local cases announced at the 11am update. I apologise in advance but I simply don't have the time or the resources to answer every single question, theory or opinion on Facebook, so I've put together a few links below which cover the most frequently asked questions.
¿ MASKS AND QR CODES: These rules have been eased from today but I, and I imagine most others, will continue to take the extra precautions given the current outbreaks. Masks are now only mandatory on public transport, at airports and for some hospitality staff who are not fully vaccinated.
Full details on new mask rules HERE.
Full details on new QR code rules HERE.
¿ INFO FOR CLOSE AND CASUAL CONTACTS: NSW Health advice for close and casual contacts, including household contacts of those people, can be found HERE.
¿ TESTING: Testing clinics are under significant stress at the moment and wait times could be several hours. I highly encourage people to use the two testing clinics at Morisset which are not under great strain at the moment. These clinics are privately run but requests have been made to extend opening hours.
¿ LOCKDOWN: There is little to no chance that a lockdown is imminent. The Govt has made it very clear that lockdowns will only occur if our hospital system becomes over run. At the moment, it is not - we only have five people in local hospitals with Covid, and three in ICU, so our high vaccination rate is doing its job.
¿ STAFF MEMBERS OR COLLEAGUES HAVE TESTED POSITIVE: If you're a business owner and a staff member has tested positive, information and resources are available HERE.
¿ COMMON SENSE! More than 95% of Lake Macquarie people are fully vaccinated and that, combined with a bit of common sense, will undoubtedly be our greatest defence against the current outbreak. Sadly, though, we already have thousands of Hunter Region people isolating, and many of those will now be isolating over Christmas which greatly saddens me. Please stay safe, vigilant and avoid crowds indoors wherever possible.

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