HOSPITALISATIONS have remained steady across the Hunter despite a rise in daily cases on Thursday.
The region's daily number rose to 53 fresh cases in the day to 8pm Wednesday evening, up from 44 in the preceding period.
It was the second-highest tally for a health district in NSW, with 54 in Western Sydney.
Thursday's update means there are 750 active cases in the health district.
Of the new infections 29 are linked to known cases or clusters.
There are still 14 active cases in hospital, and three in intensive care.
Midcoast and Moree Plains made up the lion's share of the health district's infections, with 34 between them.
Dr David Durrheim said Midcoast alone had recorded 85 cases in the past five days.
"We really beg parents, don't send your children to school ill," he said.
"It's also very important that anybody with a COVID diagnosis or COVID symptoms not go out in the community.
"The best way of containing it is to keep it at home."
Moree itself had a dozen cases, while there were nine in Taree.
Wingham had four, Tinonee three and a pair in Tuncurry.
Bootawa, Cundletown and Koorainghat all added single cases.
Newcastle had six case - two in Warabrook and one each at Elermore Vale, Mayfield, Stockton and Wickham.
Abermain, Cessnock and Kurri Kurri all added a case each in Cessnock local government area.
Lake Macquarie likewise had three, with one in Edgeworth and two in Carey Bay.
Darlington delivered Singleton's only case while Port Stephens had three spread between Boat Harbour, Raymond Terrace and Seaham.
Tamworth also had three new cases.
There were 262 fresh cases across NSW and three deaths.
None of those who died were in the Hunter.
