JHH COVID ward prepped for a 'surge', opens pop-up clinic for close contacts.

The region's COVID-19 response lead, Elizabeth Grist, said in a statement issued late Friday that clinic will operate in addition to the John Hunter Hospital testing clinic, which is open to the general public.

Ms Grist also confirmed that a dedicated COVID-19 ward had been established at the hospital and is being manned by staff who are "fully vaccinated" "and trained in strict infection-control protocols".

"In March 2020, a dedicated COVID-19 ward was established at John Hunter Hospital, as part of the state's pandemic preparedness plan," she said.

"We are fortunate in NSW to have a large, highly-integrated, networked health system with sufficient surge capacity to ensure all patients who require ICU care will receive it.

Health officials also confirmed there were no confirmed COVID-19 patients from Sydney being cared for in Hunter New England Health facilities, and no locally acquired patients on ventilators or in ICU.

Additional equipment, including ventilators, were sourced last year to address any surge in intensive care patients, she said.

"We also have plans in place to surge staffing and intensive care capacity, if and when required, across our health facilities."

Find a complete list of COVID-19 testing clinics here.

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