HARSHER lockdown restrictions take effect in the Hunter from Monday despite recording single-digit case numbers for the fourth day in a row, as health authorities' call for continuing compliance and vigilance.
There were just seven new Hunter cases reported in the 24 hours to 8pm on Saturday, all linked to known cases. But NSW case numbers climbed to new heights - 830 new cases, more than 80 per cent of which were not linked to known cases or clusters, and may have been infectious while in the community.
In the Hunter, three cases were infectious while in the community, two in Jesmond and one in Islington, but none were linked to the aged care or disability sectors.
One case, however, was linked with the Costco warehouse site which continues to cause concern with the list of close contacts associated with it rising from 300 to 400.
As well as the Costco Warehouse, where a worker was mixing freely while unknowingly infectious from August 16 to August 20, Hunter New England Health has advised that the Costco petrol station and membership office, at a separate site, is now also an exposure site with a long list of casual contacts.
High viral loads detected at sewage treatment sites across the region have also prompted health authorities to plead with the community to remain vigilant.
NSW Health minister Brad Hazzard said on Sunday in some cases symptoms did not become apparent for up to 16 days after a person was exposed to the virus.
At this stage, no further cases have been linked to the Hunter's disability sector outbreak. HNEH has been working with seven different disability service providers who provide care and support to residents in individual and group homes and were potentially exposed to an infectious worker employed by PHM Health.
Most residents at the affected homes were partially or fully vaccinated, and there is a push on to ensure workers are also vaccinated.
PHM Health CEO Damien Ferguson said his staff were working hard to ensure all COVID-safety measures and protocols were closely followed. "We acted as soon as we got the phone call," he said.
The one resident exposed to the virus had returned two negative tests of three, and was a hoping to return home after deep cleaning on Tuesday.
"Our workers are on the road to getting their first dose very quickly," Mr Ferguson said. "I feel so terrible for those other services which have been decimated by this."
No other workers, outside of the nine already identified, had tested positive, he said.
The cluster has been linked back to the Redeemed City of David Church in Waratah, as an exposure site between Saturday, July 31 and Sunday, August 15.
From Monday, Hunter residents will need to wear masks in all outdoor settings except while exercising. When asked on Sunday - when do people have to put masks back on if they are out and about exercising, NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys said it was very clear. It is mandatory to carry masks and people should wear them as they approach other people, he said.
Police madenumerous arrests in the Hunter over the weekend, as well as issuing fines of up to $5000. One woman copped a fine of $5,000 after police found she was not home self-isolating at her Lake Macquarie address, in line with public health orders. She was later found at an address in Kurri Kurri.
"These inspections continue throughout the day and night, and in this instance where we have someone who clearly puts people at risk ... that goes to the top of the list," NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys said on Sunday.
