Covid update - Thursday
30th September 2021
82 NEW LOCAL CASES / STAY AT HOME ORDER EXTENDED COVID UPDATE - 11.10am Thursday September 30 Sorry to report that the Hunter Region has had its worst day since the start of the pandemic with 82 new cases reported in the region in the 24 hours to 8pm last night, including 21 in Lake Macquarie. These new cases take the total number in the latest local outbreak to 919. STAY AT HOME ORDER: The current Stay At Home Order and restrictions were due to expire tomorrow but have now been extended until October 11 (when most restrictions will be lifted statewide for those who are double vaxed). This applies to all of Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, Cessnock, Maitland, Port Stephens and the Central Coast. OF THE NEW LOCAL CASES:
21 are from Lake Macquarie LGA- 4 in Edgeworth
- 2 in Woodrising
- 2 in Windale
- 2 in Belmont South
- 1 in Toronto
- 1 in Cooranbong
- 1 in Mirrabooka
- 1 in Booragul
- 1 in Charlestown
- 1 in Dudley
- 1 in Gateshead
- 1 in Glendale
- 1 in Belmont
- 1 in Marks Point
- 1 in Murrays Beach
19 are from Cessnock LGA- 7 in Kurri Kurri
- 5 in Weston
- 2 in Cliftleigh
- 1 in Cessnock
- 1 in Heddon Greta
- 1 in Kitchener
- 1 in Laguna
- 1 in Neath
17 are from Newcastle LGA- 3 in Wallsend
- 3 in Mayfield
- 2 in New Lambton
- 2 in Newcastle
- 1 in Merewether
- 1 in Tarro
- 1 in Adamstown
- 1 in Hamilton South
- 1 in Mayfield East
- 1 in Waratah West
- 1 in Rankin Park
17 are from Maitland LGA- 12 in Woodberry
- 1 in Rutherford
- 1 in Thornton
- 1 in East Maitland
- 1 in South Maitland
- 1 in Farley
4 are from Port Stephens LGA- 2 in Raymond Terrace
- 1 in Fern Bay
- 1 in Medowie
4 are from Mid-Coast LGA- 3 in Gloucester
- 1 in Pampoolah
STATUS AND CLOSE CONTACTS: Of those new cases, 48 are linked, 9 are unlinked and 25 are still under investigation. Worryingly, 34 were infectious in the community, while 27 were isolating while infectious. A further 21 are still under investigation.We now have 598 close contacts in the local area who are in isolation.
ACTIVE: There are currently 600 active cases in the local region. 13 local people are being cared for in hospital. Two are in ICU. EXPOSURE SITES: Hunter-New England Health has named a couple of new exposure sites overnight, including Newcastle Courthouse and sites at Wallsend, Kotara and Mayfield. More details on the new sites (including a link to the full list at NSW Health) are on my website HERE. STATEWIDE: There were 941 new cases reported throughout NSW in the 24 hours to 8pm last night. Sadly, another six deaths were recorded over the past 24 hours. HOSPITALISATIONS: There are now 1090 people currently being treated for Covid-19 in NSW hospitals, with 213 in ICU and 105 requiring ventilators. STATEWIDE VACCINATION RATES: Across NSW, 86.7 per cent of the over-16 population has received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 62.9 per cent are fully vaccinated to 11.59pm on Tuesday 28 September 2021.SCHOOLS: As I reported earlier, the staggered return to public schools has been brought forward by a week. Under the new timetable:- Kindy, Yr 1 and Yr 12 will return on October 18
- Years 2, 6 and 11 will return on October 25
- Years 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 and 10 will return November 1.
PRE-SCHOOL AND DAY CARE: Please note that almost all pre-schools and day care centres are privately run so I don't have details on their reopening. Their reopening dates will vary so you'll need to contact your individual centres for more information. VACCINES FOR 60+: People aged 60+ can now access the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines as well as the AstraZeneca. All three vaccines are now TGA approved for:- Everyone aged 12+ for Moderna and Pfizer
- Everyone aged 18+ for AstraZeneca
AGED CARE VISITS: From 11 October, two visitors per day aged 12 years and over will be permitted to visit an aged care facility if they are fully vaccinated. NSW Health is continuing to work with the aged care sector to develop COVID-safe plans to support children under 12 years of age to visit aged care facilities a little further down the track. TESTING: The importance of getting tested has never been more important in the local area. Please don't be complacent. If you experience any symptoms, please 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. STAY SAFE, stay vigilant, and stay home unless you absolutely have to go somewhere.