The two Jesmond Grove residents were tested on Wednesday and were transferred to a Hunter New England Health facility after testing positive on Thursday. Families of the residents were advised by phone.

A Jesmond Grove staff member also returned a positive result to COVID-19 on Thursday. The staff member had not been on-site at Jesmond Grove since August 4, Anglican Care said. Visitors who may have come in contact with this staff member have been notified by phone.

This follows another staff member testing positive to coronavirus on August 10.

Anglican Care said staff who had contact with the positive cases are isolating at home, while other close contacts will be contacted by NSW Health or Anglican Care.

As directed by NSW Health, residents and staff at Jesmond Grove will be tested daily for COVID-19.

Anglican Care said it had commenced its pandemic response plan, including thorough cleaning, increased protective equipment and social distancing where possible.

It comes after 11 residents, and another staff member, tested positive for the virus at the Masonic Village at Edgeworth.

Two Sydney women have been charged who allegedly defied orders to return home before they visited "several" locations in Newcastle before the Hunter went into lockdown.

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