Hunter New England Health COVID-19 cases has now jumped to 142
The cases of coronavirus in the Hunter New England region are continuing to rise, with 142 people now confirmed infected on Tuesday.
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Coronavirus cases continue to rise in the Hunter region.
Hunter New England Health tally: 142
Overseas acquired: 117
Locally acquired - contact of a confirmed case: 18
Locally acquired - contact not identified: 7
Under investigation: 0
EARLIER
On Friday, 18 cases were confirmed with an additional five people contracting COVID-19.
The new cases include a female in her 50s and a male in his 60s after recently returning from Italy, female in her 20s who has returned from a Pacific cruise, a male in his 70s - a relative of a previously reported confirmed case - and a female in her late teens after recently returning from Canada.
All are in home isolation. Health staff have contacted close contacts for self-isolation and will contact them every day for wellness checkups.
On Thursday new cases included a male in his 60s after recently returning from the US and a male in his 20s after recently returning from Asia.
On Wednesday cases included a male in his 30s, who recently returned from the US, a female in her 70s following assessment in hospital who recently returned from Europe via Qatar and a male and female in their 30s after attending a wedding on the South Coast where a confirmed case was present.
Hunter New England Local Health District has opened COVID-19 screening clinics at John Hunter and Maitland hospitals. A clinic will also open at Calvary Mater Newcastle on Wednesday.
EARLIER
On Tuesday afternoon seven cases were confirmed, with an additional two people contracting COVID-19.
A female in her 40s is in home isolation after recently returning from the US.
She flew into Sydney on American Airlines flight AA0073 from Los Angeles on March 11. NSW Health is asking anyone who travelled on the flight to be alert for fever or respiratory symptoms and to contact their GP or present to an emergency department in the case they do.
A female in her 60s is also the other latest coronavirus patient and she is currently receiving care at Manning Hospital. The source of her infection continues to be investigated.
There is no connection between the two new cases and any cases previously confirmed in the District.
Health staff continue to undertake daily wellness checks with all confirmed cases as they recover.
Those in close contact are being asked to self-isolate for 14 days from last contact. They will be contacted every day to check that they are well and any contact who develops COVID-19 symptoms will be tested for the infection.
EARLIER
Hunter New England Health is now providing care and support to three additional people who have COVID-19.
A male in his 20s and a male in his 60s have been placed in home isolation and are “doing well”, while a female in her 60s has been admitted to John Hunter hospital as a precaution for monitoring.
The male in his 20s has been identified as the source of infection for the woman in her 60s announced on Friday, as the second COVID-19 case in the Hunter, and the male in his 60s confirmed today.
The male in his 60s is also related and health staff are undertaking daily wellness checks with this family cluster.
Dr David Durrheim, Public Health Physician at Hunter New England Population Health said health staff have contacted people close to the three new cases, who have been asked to self-isolate for 14 days from last contact.
“They will be contacted every day by the public health unit to check that they are well and any contact who develops COVID-19 symptoms will be tested for the infection,” Dr. Durrheim said.
The male in his 20s works in tourism and was likely exposed through interaction with an international tour groups.
As a precaution, anyone who visited Oakvale Winery between March 4-13 should be alert for fever or respiratory symptoms.
If they develop any of these symptoms, they should contact their GP or present to an Emergency Department.
The female in her 60s confirmed today she had not travelled internationally and the source of her infection is still being investigated.
“I want to assure the public that is still safe to visit the hospital,” Dr. Durrheim said.
“All the necessary precautions have been taken to prevent the spread of infection while the patient is in our care.
“We ask everyone in Hunter New England to play a part in containing the spread of COVID-19 by washing your hands often, covering coughs and sneezes and staying home if you’re unwell.”