Coronavirus update: Hunter infection rate starts to slow
As more and more people get the message about staying home, confirmed cases of COVID-19 across the Hunter start to slow, with 248 now the number of people infected across Hunter New England.
Newcastle
Don't miss out on the headlines from Newcastle. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Promising news with the spread of COVID-19 slowing across the Hunter.
The total number of Hunter New England confirmed cases is 248.
Currently 11 people are being cared for in hospitals, including five in ICU.
NSW Health yesterday confirmed the death of a 76 year old male resident from the Hunter New England District.
Across the district, 88 people have recovered so far.
Hunter New England Health is contacting close contacts of the new cases, who are being asked to self-isolate for 14 days from last contact.
Dr. David Durrheim said the slowing numbers are good news but we can’t become complacent.
“We are seeing cases that are not of specific origin. They haven’t come off cruise ships or haven’t returned from overseas.
“This is an exciting feature that says we are doing the right thing, we are slowing the spread of the virus.
“We’ve got to put in every effort to distance ourselves and to follow the direction given.
“Three’s a crowd, only meet one on one, don’t gather as crowds at all. All of us has a responsibility, it’s a formidable foe.”
Following the identification of three cases in eastern Lake Macquarie region with an unknown source of infection, Hunter New England Local Health District is calling on Valentine, Belmont, Mt Hutton, Windale and Croudace Bay residents to contact their GP, private pathology laboratories, or the free COVID-19 clinics at Belmont or John Hunter hospitals for screening.
The Belmont Hospital Clinic is a drive-through service where people are screened via phone before presenting.
The John Hunter Hospital Clinic is currently operating seven days per week. Signage at the hospital’s main entrance will direct people to the nearby screening station.
Hunter New England Health is also operating clinics at Calvary Mater Newcastle, Maitland, and Manning hospitals.