RESIDENTS of an apartment block in Windale will be tested after it was discovered a person with COVID-19 had been living in the complex.
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Hunter New England Health issued an alert on Tuesday night calling on anyone who visited the apartment complex at 17-19 James Street between Friday, August 20 and Tuesday, August 24 to get tested and isolate until they receive a negative test.
The person with COVID-19 who had been living there is isolating off-site.
"The District is arranging urgent onsite testing for affected residents. All residents have been contacted and advised to isolate until tested," a Hunter New England Health statement said.
Hunter New England is working with NSW Police and the managers of the building, Wesley Mission, to assess the situation and to safeguard the health of residents.
"Food and other services, including daily welfare checks, will be provided to residents, should they require a 14-day quarantine period," the statement said, adding that this situation reinforced the need "for everyone living in apartment complexes to wear a face mask in shared foyer or lobby areas, lifts, stairwells and corridors, and shared laundry facilities of apartment complexes. This advice applies to everyone, including residents, visitors, building managers, contractors, delivery drivers and cleaners".
Member for Charlestown Jodie Harrison has called on the Health Minister Brad Hazzard to deliver a targeted vaccination program in Windale, where vaccination rates are lower than surrounding suburbs, with only 20-29 per cent of people fully vaccinated.
"The government must act quickly to get vaccines into the arms of people living in this community," Jodie Harrison said.
"I have written to the Health Minister urging him to act now. Access to vaccines in this area has to be improved.
"I have been watching the vaccination program targeted at suburbs in Western and South Western Sydney, an area of concern, and want to recognise and applaud the hard work of all involved in increasing the vaccination rates occurring there.
"I am urging the Health Minister to do the same for the people of Windale."
On the Central Coast the NSW Department of Education confirmed Gorokan High School had closed after "a member of the schoo community" tested positive to the virus.
Contact tracing and cleaning is underway, and all staff and students are asked to self-isolate until they receive further advice.
The Hunter region registered one new case on Tuesday, a nursing home resident at Jesmond, after reporting two cases on Monday.
NSW recorded 753 new cases in the 24 hours to 8pm on Monday. NSW hospitals are caring for 608 COVID-19 patients, including 107 in intensive care.
The Hunter has reported 164 cases since the latest outbreak began and has 32 COVID-19 patients in hospital, none of whom are in intensive care.
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