It is the highest number of daily cases the state has recorded this year.

Four cases were in the Newcastle local government area.

More than 108,000 tests were conducted in the recording period, the 24 hours to 8pm Friday.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said 125 were linked to known cases, including 108 which were household contacts.

He said 194 cases remained under investigation.

There are now 345 people in hospital with the virus, including 56 in intensive care.

"Where we go in this situation, is in the hands of the community," he said.

"Get on the journey in terms of the vaccination ... and just stay at home.

"You've really got to get serious about staying at home."

The latest numbers include the two University of Newcastle students who contracted the virus.

There are now more than a dozen exposure sties across multiple Greater Newcastle suburbs.

Two cases were recorded in the Armidale local government area, which will now go into a week-long lockdown from 5pm.

Those cases are linked to some of the Newcastle cases.

"Two new cases have been confirmed in Armidale, a woman who recently travelled to Newcastle and one of her household contacts," NSW Health official Dr Jeremy McAnulty said.

"These six new cases bring the total number of cases in the Hunter-New England [Local Health District] area to 13."

NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys said 335 penalty infringement notices were issued in the 24 hours to 8pm Friday, including "many" in the Hunter and state's northern region.

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