Following the identification of three cases in eastern Lake Macquarie region with an unknown source of infection, Hunter New England Local Health District is calling on locals with fever or recent onset respiratory symptoms to contact their GP, private pathology laboratories, or the three COVID-19 clinics at Belmont or John Hunter hospitals for screening.

The health service is focusing on testing residents from Valentine, Belmont, Mt Hutton, Windale and Croudace Bay.

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Public Health Physician, Dr David Durrheim said the screening blitz in eastern Lake Macquarie will give the District the best chance of identifying a potential cluster early, and help stop the spread of COVID-19.

"We've identified some positive cases of COVID-19 in eastern Lake Macquarie where we don't know the source of the infection," he said.

"So it is now important we test this community widely to see if there is genuine community transmission. Extensive contact tracing and quarantining is vital, and identifying transmission early is our best chance at slowing the spread of COVID-19 in the community.

"If you live in the Valentine, Belmont, Mt Hutton, Windale and Croudace Bay areas and you have experienced fever or the recent onset of respiratory symptoms, including a cough, shortness of breath or a sore throat, we want to hear from you.

"Likewise if you've recently travelled internationally, or on a cruise ship, or been in touch with a person confirmed to have COVID-19, please call one of the clinics, or contact your local GP for screening and testing."

Dr Durrheim has also asked that anyone who is exhibiting symptoms should isolate at home, and call ahead when attending GPs and clinics for testing.

The Belmont Hospital Clinic is a drive-through service where people are screened via phone before presenting. For screening, please call 4923 2211 between 8am-4.00pm, seven days a week.

The John Hunter Hospital Clinic is currently operating seven days per week, Monday through Sunday, from 8am to 10.30pm. Signage at the hospital's main entrance will direct people to the nearby screening station.

Hunter New England Health is also operating clinics at Calvary Mater Newcastle, Maitland, and Manning hospitals.

The numbers of confirmed cases of COVID-19 have stabilised in NSW, but the state's health authority remains concerned about the number of community-to-community transmissions.

They hope enhanced testing at the Belmont and John Hunter Hospital screening clinics in Lake Macquarie will help them to "flush out" cases of COVID-19 that have been locally transmitted.

It means that in those areas, testing will now be done on anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19 - a fever, sore throat, or a cough. Not just those who have recently returned from overseas, are a close contact of someone who has, or have unexplained pneumonia.

It comes after NSW Health announced it would increase testing in areas of the Manning following a rise in the number of locally-transmitted cases from an unknown contact.

Executive Director Health Protection NSW, Dr Jeremy McAnulty, said there had now been 2637 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state.

"We want to encourage increased testing in those communities where we have seen even a few local cases of transmissions," he said.

"We are extending testing and encouraging doctors and patient who have got symptoms of acute respiratory infection - cough, shortness of breath, sore throat or fever - in the areas where we have seen some evidence of local transmission, to go to their GPs or a screening clinic for testing."

There were 57 cases reported on Sunday - a drop on previous days, but one which could be owed to fewer tests conducted on the weekend.

There have been 18 deaths reported in NSW.

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