HUNTER COVID-19 cases in hospital have fallen despite a surge in cases throughout the health district.
More than 2700 new positive cases emerged in the 24 hours to 4pm on Tuesday, the highest of any part of NSW.
North Sydney, which recorded 2171 cases during the same window, was the state's next highest tally for a health district.
No deaths were recorded in the Hunter New England region, where two people remain in intensive care with the virus.
They are among 84 in hospital, down from 90 in Tuesday's Hunter figures.
Across the state eight people, six men and two women, died with the virus.
All but one were over all the age of 65, with one aged in their 50s.
NSW Health said three were from southwestern Sydney, two from western Sydney, one from the south coast, one from the Central Coast and the seventh from Albury.
"Of the seven people who died over the age of 65, two people had received three doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, four people had received two doses, and one person was not vaccinated," the health authority said.
"The person under 65 years of age who died had received two doses of a COVID-10 vaccine and had significant underlying health conditions."
Around NSW there are 1583 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, including 71 people in intensive care, 24 of whom require ventilation.
