Covid update: Sunday


22nd August 2021
Seven new cases were recorded in the Hunter-New England health district in the 24 hours to 8pm last night. This brings the total number of
¿ SEVEN NEW LOCAL CASES ¿
¿ COVID UPDATE - 11.20am SUNDAY August 22 ¿
¿ Seven new cases were 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 161.
¿ Of those cases, 3 are from Newcastle LGA (2 at Jesmond and 1 at Islington - all 3 were infectious in the community prior to their positive test); 2 are from Lake Macquarie LGA (both from Edgeworth and neither were infectious in the community at any time); and 2 are from Cessnock LGA (both from Branxton and neither were infectious in the community).
¿ All cases are linked to previously reported cases. None of today’s cases are associated with the aged care cluster but one case is associated with the Costco site.
¿ Please remember that testing is absolutely essential if we're going to get control of the local outbreak. Get tested, even if you have the mildest of symptoms.
¿ STATEWIDE: There were 830 new cases recorded throughout NSW in the 24 hours to 8pm last night. Sadly, three more deaths were also recorded in Sydney overnight.
¿ HOSPITALISATIONS: There are 550 people currently being treated for Covid-19 in NSW hospitals, with 94 in ICU and 31 on ventilators.
¿ NEW EXPOSURE SITES (COSTCO): HNE Health has released several new exposure sites overnight. Please note that the exposure period for Costco at Boolaroo has been extended by a day. They have also reported that they've now contacted 400 people who may have been exposed to the virus at the Boolaroo site. All of those people have been tested and are isolating regardless of their test result. You can see those new sites on my website here.
¿ SEWER DETECTIONS: Traces of the Covid virus have been detected in a number of sewage treatment plants in recent days, including Dora Creek which receives waste from much of the south-western side of the lake. Positive detections were found in treatment plants at Shortland, Raymond Terrace, Farley, Edgeworth, Burwood Beach, Morpeth and Dora Creek. HNE Health is aware of cases in most of the catchment area so the detections may just be coming from those people, but it has urged people to stay vigilant and monitor for symptoms in all areas.
¿ WORK PERMITS: As previously reported, the new work permit system has been finalised and is now in effect. In short:
- people living on the Central Coast but working in Lake Macquarie or Newcastle will NOT need a permit;
- people leaving the local area for other parts of regional NSW will NOT need a permit;
- people living locally but working on the Central Coast will NOT need a permit.
- people living locally but working in the hotspot areas of Sydney WILL need a permit. (This does not apply to other parts of Sydney, just the 12 'areas of concern').
Full details on who does and doesn't need a permit is on my website here.
APPLY for a permit here.
¿ MASKS: A reminder that from tomorrow, wearing a mask in any public area outdoors will be mandatory (unless exercising). This applies to all of NSW. This obviously does not include your front yard or in your car while alone or with members of your own household. We all need to apply some common sense here: if you're in a public area outdoors where other people are gathering or moving around, wear a mask at all times. If walking the dog is your excerise, you don't need a mask if there's no one else around, but common sense should tell you to wear one if other people are around.
¿ Please stay safe, stay vigilant, and stay home unless you absolutely have to go somewhere.

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