With 24 new COVID cases recorded in the Hunter New England district, health officials worry people are losing enthusiasm for tests, and they risk spreading it to their family and friends.
Fifteen of the cases announced today were infectious in the community, while seven are mystery cases.
"There are definitely chains of transmission that are unfortunately not being detected," Hunter New England (HNE) Health's public health controller Dave Durrheim said.
Newcastle had the highest number of new infections in the Hunter region, with 11 people testing positive in the city, including three in Shortland and two in Newcastle East.
Case numbers remain steady in Lake Macquarie where seven new cases were detected.
There were three cases in Maitland, and two at Tanilba Bay in Port Stephens.
It comes after 13 cases were announced yesterday, and the region hit a record high of 30 cases on Saturday.
"The lovely sunny weather is to our advantage over the virus. But we're not through this yet. And we all need to keep doing those jolly simple measures that have kept us safe for so long," Dr Durrheim said.
The health district had 291 active cases and there were over 700 close contacts in isolation.
Calls for more testing
Dr Durrheim expressed concern not enough people in the community are coming forward for a COVID test.
"Four weeks ago Lake Macquarie had nearly 15,000 people tested but last week it dropped to under 10,000"
Dr Durrheim said it was a concern right across the Hunter.
"Newcastle was getting around 14,000 tests per week but last week it was just over seven thousand," Dr Durrheim said.
He said without widespread testing it was hard to get an accurate picture of how the virus was spreading in the community.
Dr David Durrheim said to keep the community safe anyone with the mildest of symptoms should come forward for a test.
"I'm sure all of us don't want to be responsible for spreading the virus to others especially vulnerable family members and friends," Dr Durrheim said.
