CONTACT tracers are racing to find the source of a Port Stephens COVID case after the Hunter added four fresh infections on Thursday.
Shoal Bay, Salamander Bay, Hamilton and Swansea Heads all recorded cases in the most recent figures.
Only the Hamilton case was isolating while infectious, NSW Health said.
Dr David Durrheim described the past week's shift towards more cases infectious in the community than had isolated as one of some "rather concerning statistics" emerging.
"The major concern that has developed in the past 24 hours is a situation up near the bay, Port Stephens, where there have been two confirmed cases that were active in the community while infectious.
"We cannot afford to become complacent. This is time for Port Stephens residents if they have symptoms to get tested and isolate until they receive a negative result."
"This means that all of us have to be particularly careful if we develop any signs or symptoms of COVID," he said.
The Shoal Bay case is unlinked to previous exposures, while the other three could be tracked back.
There were seven cases on the Central Coast, all of which were infectious in the community.
Three were linked to known infections.
Authorities warned people travelling through areas including Lake Munmorah and San Remo to be cautious.
The fresh numbers mean there are 76 active cases in the Hunter New England health district and 649 close contacts isolating.
Seven people are in the region's hospitals with one, a pregnant woman who had not received the vaccine, in intensive care.
Across NSW there were 1288 cases reported in the 24 hours to 8pm on Wednesday.
Seven people died, while there were 121,000 vaccinated and 127,000 tests.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she had been discussing with the health team "in the past 48 hours" details including whether vaccinated Sydneysiders could travel to regional areas to see family.
"We have to accept living with COVID is a reality, it's not an option," she said.
"We keep a keen eye on how every local government area is doing, and we would love to move forward together.
"We're very keen to ensure that when we provide opportunities for people who are vaccinated it will be across the state for simplicity.
"Hitting the double dose 70 per cent will happen around mid-October so we have time between now and then to focus on communities that are not doing as well as others."
Deputy premier John Barilaro said that authorities were "looking at the data", but said it would align with the aim of having double vaccinations.
He said a final decision would come as part of the state's formal COVID roadmap, which is in development.
Any changes to intercity travel restrictions are likely to raise tensions in the Hunter given low vaccination rates for some vulnerable communities and exposures linked to Sydney in recent weeks.
Police are investigating Wednesday's revelation that Sydney tree loppers were going door to door in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie.
Health authorities said that "multiple workers" for Sau Tree Services had tested positive to the virus and may have exposed those who answered the door.
Hunter New England Health added five exposure sites to the region's growing list of casual contact venues overnight.
Ms Berejiklian said exercise limits would be lifted in Sydney's local government areas of concern, bringing them into line with the rest of the state.
There are 64 people on ventilators in the state.
The NSW deaths with COVID include two men in their 80s, a man in his 50s, a woman in her 70s, a man in his 70s and a woman in her 80s.
All were in Sydney hospitals.
Dr Kerry Chant said that while one of the men had both doses of the vaccine, he had "significant underlying health conditons".
Several others had not been vaccinated.
NSW is expected to become the first state or territory to hit 70 per cent vaccination, Ms Berejiklian said.
"Unfortunately a number of people who have lost their lives have not received any doses of vaccine, and I hope that changes into the future," Ms Berejiklian said.
