THE Hunter has retained its unwanted title as NSW's biggest contributor to the COVID count, with 79 fresh cases added on Thursday.
The number of cases detected in the 24 hours to 8pm on Wednesday was well clear of the next highest health district tally, South Western Sydney health district's 51.
Lake Macquarie added the most Hunter cases, with 18 that remain spread across almost as many suburbs.
Belmont North and Valentine had three apiece, with two in Toronto, while individual cases were scattered across Windale, Cameron Park, Cardiff, Morisset, Swansea, Tingira Heights, Warners Bay, Whitebridge and Gateshead.
Newcastle had three each in North Lambton and Mayfield, and two each for Elermore Vale and Hamilton South.
Single cases popped up in Carrington, Georgetown, Maryville, New Lambton, Newcastle East, The Hill and Wallsend.
Maitland's seven cases were split between four in Woodberry and others in East Maitland, Maitland and Tenambit.
Most of Port Stephens' eight cases came from Raymond Terrace, with five, while individual infections were found in Mallabula, Soldiers Point and Tanilba Bay.
Martins Creek and Clarence Town were home to Dungog's two cases while Kurri Kurri added three, Cessnock two and Aberdare a single case in that LGA's six.
Singleton had one case, in Hunterview.
Midcoast Council has two cases at Chatham and one apiece at Harrington, Old Bar and Taree.
Tamworth's 11 cases were spread between the city itself and Oxley.
Cases also emerged further afield in the health district. Tenterfield recorded a case at Woodside, Armidale had one and Moree a pair.
The Central Coast added four cases.
