HUNTER New England has added 54 fresh COVID-19 cases, a quarter of the new infections in NSW.
Across the state 212 cases emerged in the 24 hours to 8pm on Monday, with two deaths.
The deaths, both men, were in Albury and Liverpool.
In Hunter New England Midcoast Council contributed 15 cases, the highest from any local government area within the health district's footprint.
Newcastle had nine fresh cases, the highest in the Hunter, while Inverell added seven.
Three of Newcastle's cases came from Maryland, where a school is closed on Tuesday, with another two at Hamilton South. Jesmond also had two, with another each from Fletcher and Waratah.
Lake Macquarie had six cases, three each from Cameron Park and Rathmines, while four each came from Maitland and Port Stephens and Cessnock had three.
Maitland's cases all came from Gillieston Heights while Glen Oak contributed all four for Port Stephens.
Neath, Kurri Kurri and North Rothbury delivered the Cessnock cases.
In Hunter New England 27 cases were infectious in the community.
Moree added five more, with one in Tamworth.
The status of four of the fresh infections is unknown, while 42 of the fresh cases are linked to known or existing COVID-19 cases.
There are 762 total active cases in the region, with a dozen in hospital.
Three require intensive care.
