More than 400 cases of Covid detected in Hunter, as nightclub cluster grows
Health authorities have reported a further 424 infections across the Hunter for the 24 hours to 8pm on Tuesday as the numbers continue to escalate following the Argyle House superspreader event.
Newcastle
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There are now over 800 active Covid-19 cases across the Hunter New England Health District after authorities reported a further 424 positives in the 24 hours to 8pm on Tuesday.
Some 243 fresh cases have emerged in the Newcastle local government area alone, with Lake Macquarie (76) and Maitland (69) also recording significant spikes.
There were 18 in Port Stephens, seven in Cessnock, four from Mid Coast, two from Singleton and another five in the New England region.
There are now 827 new cases in the Hunter New England region, with seven in hospital and three in intensive care.
It is comes a week after the superspreader event at Argyle House, where hundreds of people have now tested positive.
Hunter New Enaldn Health’s public health controller Dr David Durrheim called the latest figures “a huge increase”.
“Most of these cases we believe will be the Omicron variant which we have seen is highly transmissible, particularly in crowded settings, and fortunately to date most people who have been double vaccinated or even had a booster have had very mild illness,’’ Dr Durrheim said.
“We can expect further cases clearly in the next couple of days.
“Unfortunately, many of the people who are confirmed cases did attend other gatherings in pubs, clubs and Christmas events.
“With the relaxation further of State restrictions we can probably expect to see even further cases across the Hunter New England and across the state and so we need to be sensible.
“Even though we don’t need to wear a mask it is a jolly sensible thing to wear a mask.’’
Tuesday
Covid-19 numbers across Newcastle and the Hunter have exploded following a “superspreader event” at a popular nightspot last week.
On Tuesday, there were 224 cases of the virus recorded in the Hunter New England region, with 216 of those from the Hunter alone.
As testing numbers increased, so too did cases. In Newcastle they blew out to 116, while there were 48 Covid cases recorded in Lake Macquarie, 28 in Maitland, 11 in Port Stephens, seven from Cessnock, five from Singleton and one in Dungog.
A majority of recent cases are expected to be the Omicron variant.
It brings the active cases in the local health district to 425, with two active cases confirmed to be the Omicron variant, where one of them has been linked to the Argyle House cluster.
The explosion in numbers comes after The Argyle House in Newcastle told 680 of its revellers who attended the popular nightspot on December 8 and 9 to get tested immediately and isolate as close contacts of a Covid case.
NSW Health confirmed on Tuesday, close to 150 people who attended the popular nightspot have now tested positive to Covid-19, with more cases expected.
It also prompted an urgent appeal for those at Finnegan’s Hotel on Darby St on Friday December 10 and Saturday morning December 11 to also isolate and get tested amid confirmed Covid cases.
At least six people at the nightclub have been confirmed cases, with more expected to arise from exposure to the venue.
On Monday, the entire Newcastle Knights squad was sent home and told to get tested after they were tentatively linked with the growing Argyle House cluster, after it was discovered that some players’ households had links to close contacts.
Tuesday was a day off for players and the club was still awaiting test results on Tuesday afternoon.
Due to an increased number of cases, as well as an increased demand for morning clinics, more clinics are operating under extended hours for the remainder of this week.
They include Wickham Histopath Pathology drive through clinic at Honeysuckle Drive, Wickham, open from Monday to Sunday from 8am until 8pm.
Also, Adamstown Laverty Pathology drive through clinic on Victoria St, open Monday to Sunday from 7.30am until 6pm each day.
EARLIER
NSW Health has sent out an urgent appeal for anyone who attended another popular Newcastle nightspot over the weekend, as the Covid cluster that sent the entire Newcastle Knights squad home on Monday grows.
Finnegan’s Hotel is the latest venue to have confirmed cases, with health authorities calling on anyone who was at the Darby Street establishment between 6.30pm on Friday and 2.30am on Saturday to immediately get tested and isolate for seven days. Patrons who were at Finnegan’s during that time are considered close contacts.
“This venue was visited by confirmed cases of COVID-19. It is likely some of these cases have the Omicron variant of concern,” a statement read. “NSW Health is urgently contacting anyone who attended Finnegan’s Hotel at these times and checked in via the QR code and is directing them and members of their households to immediately get tested and follow public health advice.”
Staff have been tested and are isolated, with the venue’s management saying in a Facebook post they were working with health authorities to ensure and staff were being tested.
“We have just been notified by NSW Health that a number of confirmed COVID 19 cases attended Finnegan’s Hotel while potentially infectious on Friday night,” the post read. “We are now assisting NSW Health with contact tracing and our staff will be isolating and getting tested.
“Stay safe, we’ll be back soon.”
Earlier today, the entire Newcastle Knights playing group were told to go home, get tested and isolate after they were tentatively linked to the growing Argyle House Covid-19 cluster which has already seen at least 84 people test positive.
Knights general manager of football Danny Buderus said the decision to send players and administration staff home came after it was discovered that some players’ households had links to close contacts from the Argyle House superspreader event last Wednesday.
Buderus said no players were at Argyle House last week and none have yet to test positive.
But he said the club followed protocols to send every staff member who was at work on Monday – from players to front office employees – to get tested and self-isolate until they received a negative result.
Buderus said it was hopeful that many staff could return to work on Tuesday if they had received the clearance.
The club added it was taking a “proactive” approach and no-one had been ordered to stand down.
It is working with all relevant bodies and doing everything to continue to function, with hopes of returning to work as soon as possible.
The NRL has also been informed.
With at least 24 cases detected and linked to the venue on Sunday, overnight the nightclub cluster rose by a further 60, set to be reported in tomorrow’s figures, with a number of the cases likely to be the Omicron variant.
There were 680 people checked in to the popular Newcastle nightspot on December 8 and 9 considered close contacts, and they have been urged to get tested and isolate for seven days.
In addition, anyone who attended the University of Newcastle fifth year medical ball at Newcastle NEX on December 10 have also been classified as close contacts and are urged to isolate and get tested immediately.
It comes as 26 Covid-19 cases were confirmed in the Hunter on Monday, with the one active case of Omicron linked to The Argyle House.
A total of 12 cases were identified in Newcastle, nine in Lake Macquarie, three in Maitland, one in Muswellbrook and one in Port Stephens.
Hunter New England Health have issued a warning to household contacts from both venues to also get tested and self-isolate until a negative result is received.
“680 people checked in using the Service NSW QR code. NSW Health is appealing for anyone who did not check in using the QR code to urgently get tested and isolate, and for the community to ensure other potential attendees are aware of this advice,” Hunter New England Health Public Health Physician Dr Tony Merritt said.
“In line with NSW Health advice, all household contacts of close contacts must also be tested and self-isolate until a negative result is received by everyone in your household.
“NSW Health is urging everyone of the importance of maintaining COVID-safe practices with transmission occurring at social events during the festive period.
“Everyone should remain vigilant when celebrating with family, friends and colleagues and should not attend any social functions if they have any symptoms, no matter how mild.”
On its Facebook page, a spokesperson from Argyle House said it would be back to “partying” on Wednesday as a result of the latest contacts.
Staff have also been forced to isolate, the club urging revellers to get tested and monitor for symptoms.
Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp pleaded with people to check their Service NSW alerts, tweeting he had seen alerts for Queens Wharf Hotel for December 9, the Greenroof, Cambridge and Great Northern hotels for Friday and “have been told” about alerts for the Newcastle Hotel and Commonwealth Hotel on Friday.
“This is a naturally concerning situation but I have every confidence we will be able to get on top of it,’’ Mr Crakanthorp said in a statement.
“With case alerts now being seen for many venues, please keep an eye on your Service NSW app, follow the health advice and look out for any symptoms.
“Many of us will be seeing vulnerable friends and family over this Christmas period, which makes it even more important to be tested no matter how slight the symptom is and ensure we keep our loved ones safe.
“We have heard a lot over the last two years that we are all in this together, and we all have a part to play in protecting each other by getting vaccinated if we can, getting tested if we display symptoms, and staying home if we are unwell.”
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