The daily count of new coronavirus cases in the Hunter New England Health district rose to eight on Thursday.
The slight jump follows a week when on two days the health service recorded no new positive tests for the virus.
It was the highest daily count of new cases in seven days.
Health authorities established a drive-through testing station in Belmont on Monday after identifying a potential "hot spot" in eastern Lake Macquarie suburbs.
The new cases took the region's total to 262.
Eight COVID-19 patients are being treated in HNEH hospitals. Four patients are in intensive care, one fewer than on Wednesday.
The health service will operate testing clinics at John Hunter and Belmont hospitals over the Easter long weekend but the Mater clinic will be closed from Friday to Monday.
The Maitland testing clinic will close on Friday and Sunday but remain open on Saturday and Monday.
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