Covid update - Thursday
19th August 2021
5 NEW LOCAL CASES / LOCKDOWN EXTENDED 
COVID UPDATE - 11.10am Thursday August 19 The Premier has today announced that the current lockdown restrictions in the Hunter Region will continue until August 28. There were just 5 new cases recorded in the Hunter-New England health district in the 24 hours to 8pm last night and that's certainly good news. This brings the total number of cases in our health district to 150. All of those new cases are from the Newcastle LGA - three in Jesmond and 2 in Elermore Vale (both of these were infectious in the community before their positive test result). All are linked to previously reported cases, and two of those five cases are associated with the aged care cluster. We now have 28 local people with Covid-related illness being treated in hospital. STATEWIDE: Another worrying record, the State reported 681 new cases in the 24 hours to 8pm last night. HOSPITALISATIONS: There are 474 people currently being treated for Covid-19 in NSW hospitals, with 82 in ICU and 25 on ventilators. NEW EXPOSURE SITES: HNE Health has released a number of new exposure sites overnight but they are all in the Maitland area. If you've been in the Maitland area over the past fortnight, you can check those locations on my website here. VACCINATIONS:- As I mentioned yesterday, disability care workers wanting a vaccination can simply turn up to the Belmont vaccination hub without an appointment. They only need to turn up with some form of work or employment ID. The type of vaccine will depend on individual circumstances and eligibility so those workers can discuss that with the nurses at the hub when they arrive.
- 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.