Hunter Covid: No fresh cases across region as lockdown extended to September 10

Rolling coverage: The lockdown will continue until at least September 10 as Hunter New England Health reports that there was not one recorded positive case in latest figures.

The Hunter will remain in lockdown until at least September 10 despite recording no fresh Covid cases on Thursday.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro told reporters at the daily Covid update that the State remained on a “knife’s edge” and that numbers “can fluctuate on a daily basis’’.

There was a record 1029 new Covid cases across NSW and three more people have died.

NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro provides an update on COVID-19. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

The regional lockdown would continue until Friday, September 10.

Mr Barilaro said the crisis remained “a tinder box” and regional NSW needed to “play our part’’ and “stay united”.

“The two-week extension gives us an ability to get more data to understand exactly what is occurring in the regions,’’ Mr Barilaro said.

He later added: “For me this is the right decision to inform the community of a two-week extension is appropriate and the balanced approach by the government.

“We will deal with that, we will assess that and the next further extension, we will make that decision early.’’

Hunter New England Health said there were 110 active cases still in the community and 700 close contacts in isolation.

The total cases for the Hunter outbreak remains at 168.

There were 31 people currently being cared for in hospital across the Hunter. None are in intensive care.

Hunter New England Health’s Dr. David Durrheim.

Hunter New England Health’s public health controller, Dr David Durrheim, warned the community to remain vigilant.

“A donut day. A day without any new Covid-19 cases. Well done Hunter New England community,’’ Dr Durrheim said.

“It has been a great effort so far but we are not through this battle just yet.

“We know we have 700 close contacts that are still potentially in the position where they may develop Covid and we thank them for keeping our community safe by isolating.’’

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian (Photo by Jenny Evans – Pool/Getty Images)

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said five fully-vaccinated people would be able to congregate in outside gatherings in areas outside the Sydney LGAs of concern from September 13.

“Now we do appreciate there are many communities in the regions that don’t have any cases, that have never had any cases, and they really wanting to come out of lockdown,’’ Ms Berejiklian said.

“But as a precaution, the health advice is we should extend the lockdown for all of regional NSW until midnight Friday, September 10.’’

The Hunter recorded no new cases. Picture: NCA NewsWire/David Swift.

THURSDAY’S ROLLING COVERAGE

Crakanthorp labels lockdown freedoms a “kick in the guts” for unvaccinated

At 1.30pm

State Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp has labelled upcoming freedoms for the fully vaccinated a kick in the guts to those in regional areas who have been unable to access a timely appointment.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced on Thursday that fully vaccinated adults outside of LGAs of concern will be able to gather outdoors in groups of five in their local government area or within 5kms of home from September 13

Mr Crakanthorp said in a statement that due to the lack of Pfizer supply in the Hunter, people in priority groups who were unable to receive AstraZeneca had not been able to secure their first appointment until October or November, so cannot be fully vaccinated until long after the new rule comes into effect.

The Labor MP said it came after 5500 appointments were cancelled at the Hunter hub in July to redirect the vaccines to Sydney.

“Every day I hear from people who are desperate to secure a Pfizer appointment, but simply cannot because the supply does not exist,” Mr Crakanthorp said.

“While there is plenty of AstraZeneca available this is not suitable for everyone, and we still have vulnerable people in our community who are desperate to be vaccinated but cannot be.

“The Premier needs to ensure that the next arrival of Pfizer is fairly distributed to the regions – we need these vaccines too.”

Hunter’s 7-Eleven stores cleared

At 10am

Hunter New England Health’s venue risk assessment teams have cleared any 7-Eleven convenience store sites across the Hunter.

In a statement on Twitter, HNEH said: “Following recent reports that a positive COVID-19 case attended several 7-Eleven stores in the Hunter, our Venue Risk Assessment team has done a formal assessment on these sites and finds they are not venues of concern for the wider community.’’

“7-Eleven closed the stores and did the required cleaning following notification. Those who were considered close or casual contacts have all been contacted for isolation and testing.’’

Second test for Windale residents

At 8am

Residents of a Windale unit complex forced into a hard lockdown after a person living there contracted Covid will undergo a second test later this week.

Residents in other units at 17-19 James St have been tested for the virus and as of Thursday morning all results had so far returned negative.

But it’s been revealed they’ll have to await the results of a second round of testing later in the week before they’re given the all-clear, due to the high-risk transmission setting.

Anyone who visited the units between Friday and Tuesday should get tested. Picture: David Swift.

Alleged altercation at vax appointment

At 7am

A man who allegedly arrived at a Jesmond chemist not wearing a mask and then threatened staff with plastic bottles has been arrested.

The 54-year-old man was charged with affray and failing to comply with public health order – not wear face covering.