Two schools and a childcare centre will be closed on Thursday after three new cases of coronavirus were recorded in Port Stephens, MP Kate Washington says.
In a post on Facebook late on Wednesday night, Ms Washington said Tomaree Public School and Tomaree High School, along with Goodstart Anna Bay Childcare Centre, will be closed for contact tracing and deep cleaning.
Ms Washington said the three new cases were linked with a man in his 60s, who had tested positive after being visited by a Sydney man aged in his 20s on July 13.
The man was at the Salamander Bay shopping centre on July 15. He became symptomatic the next day.
The Sydney visitor also attended the Windsor Castle Hotel in East Maitland between 6-8 pm on Monday, July 13.
Ms Washington said more information would be released by Hunter New England Health on Thursday morning.
"All families at the schools and childcare service should have received email notification of the closures with more information," she wrote on Facebook.
Earlier on Wednesday, Hunter New England Health Public Health Physician Dr David Durrheim urged "anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms such as fever, sore throat, cough or shortness of breath" to get tested.
"Even those with mild symptoms such as fatigue, new muscle aches or pains, a change in taste or smell or a new runny nose are encouraged to arrange testing," he said.
"Now's the time to trample on this virus. We do not want it getting a hold in our community again."
