Health authorities added several fresh exposure sites late on Sunday evening including a Broadmeadow pet shop, Jesmond fruit barn, a Mayfield chemist and a Hamilton Mexican eatery.
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Anyone who attended any of the venues during the specified windows is deemed a casual contact, Hunter New England Health said, unless they had already been notified as close contacts.
Casual contacts must get tested and isolate until a negative test result is received.
The sites include PETQuarters at Broadmeadow on Wednesday 4 August between 11.08am and 11.25am, BWS, Jesmond on Saturday 7 August from 12.45pm - 12.55pm and again on Tuesday 3 August from 5.48pm - 5.58pm, and Chemist Warehouse at Mayfield on Saturday 7 August from 2.36pm - 2.40pm.
Warnings were also issued for Hamilton's Guzman Y Gomez on Monday 2 August from 3.10pm - 3.30pm and Jesmond Fruit Barn, Jesmond on Saturday 7 August from 12.10pm - 12.20pm.
The Hunter added nine new cases on Sunday, a result Premier Gladys Berejiklian described as "positive" and a "stabilisation".
Anglican Bishop of Newcastle Dr Peter Stuart on Sunday wrote to family members of Jesmond Grove aged care residents to inform them a fourth resident had tested positive for COVID-19.
"Under guidance from NSW Health, Jesmond Grove remains in lockdown, with residents undertaking daily testing and being supported to isolate in their rooms," Dr Stuart said in a letter.
"Our COVID-19 Response Team is meeting twice daily to ensure the ongoing implementation of our pandemic response plans.
"This includes infection control measures such as thorough cleaning and increased personal protective equipment.
"We believe the measures we have in place are working to stop the spread, but we know that further positive cases of COVID-19 can be received up to 14 days from initial exposure.
"This is why we remain vigilant in our resident care, monitoring and testing."
Chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant said on Sunday the "settling" of case numbers in the Hunter was pleasing, but she said health authorities were still concerned about potential coronavirus transmission in the Maitland area.
Hunter New England Health public health controller Dr David Durrheim said on Sunday that three out of five unlinked cases in the district were in the Maitland area.
Matt Carr
Matt began his Newcastle Herald career as a cadet in 2009. He is a Walkley nominated reporter who has covered councils, police and general news rounds across the Upper Hunter, Port Stephens, Maitland, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock and Newcastle. Now his focus is on digital storytelling and breaking news.
Matt began his Newcastle Herald career as a cadet in 2009. He is a Walkley nominated reporter who has covered councils, police and general news rounds across the Upper Hunter, Port Stephens, Maitland, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock and Newcastle. Now his focus is on digital storytelling and breaking news.
