A total of 1262 cases of COVID-19 were recorded in NSW, with seven in the Hunter New England region, health officials said on Sunday.
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Hunter New England Health said three cases were from Newcastle, two from Lake Macquarie, one from Port Stephens and one from Mid Coast.
This included cases in Hamilton, Mayfield, Wallsend, Balcolyn, Fishing Point, Soldiers Point and Booral.
"All seven cases were infectious in the community. Six are linked to known exposures or family clusters, while one case is still under investigation," the statement said.
"This brings the total number of cases in the district to 292 since August 5."
Ten of the total active cases in Hunter-New England are being cared for in hospital. One is in ICU.
Health officials added that 505 close contacts are in isolation in the region.
A pop-up COVID-19 testing clinic has been established in Hamilton South to "offer swabs to residents of community housing complexes in the area".
"This is in response to two newly confirmed cases (one who will be announced in tomorrow's case numbers as the notification came in after 8pm last night), who reside in housing complexes on Hassall Street and Glebe Road.
"Investigations and contact tracing are underway."
Testing was being offered to those in the two Hamilton South buildings, along with people who live in surrounding blocks.
"This is a precaution to help identify any potential transmission and help stop the spread of COVID-19 among residents."
NSW Health's ongoing sewage surveillance program has detected fragments of the virus that causes COVID-19 at Karuah and Dungog treatment plants.
"This is the first time COVID-19 viral fragments have been detected in the Karuah and Dungog sewage catchments," Hunter New England Health said.
"Anyone in these communities with any respiratory symptoms should immediately get tested and isolate while they wait for their results."
New casual contact venues have been confirmed in the Hunter [see below].
Meanwhile, the Central Coast recorded 33 cases, with 27 linked to known cases and 11 in the community while infectious. The source of infection for six cases is under investigation.
The new cases in NSW cover the 24 hours to 8pm on Saturday, with seven people dying from the virus in this time.
This included a man in his 20s from western Sydney, a woman in her 40s and a woman in her 50s from south-western Sydney and a man in his 50s from western Sydney.
A man in his 70s also died, along with a man and woman in their 80s, all from south-western Sydney.
NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant reiterated the importance of vaccination.
"Even previously healthy people of all ages can get severe disease and die," she said.
"Please go online, book an appointment and get vaccinated as soon as possible."
Across NSW, 78 per cent of the over-16 population had received one COVID-19 vaccine, with 46 per cent now fully vaccinated.
Dr Chant aimed for NSW to have the "most equitable distribution of vaccine" to make sure "no one is left behind".
From Monday, people across NSW who have received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine will be allowed more freedoms.
"For those who live outside the LGAs of concern, up to five fully vaccinated adults can engage in outdoor recreation in a person's LGA or within 5km of home. Children under 12 will not be counted in this total," NSW Health said.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said people could look forward to freedoms at the 70 per cent double-dose vaccination rate, but "we can't afford to let our guard down".
"There has been some stabilisation in local government areas of concern," Ms Berejiklian said.
"However, the most concerning areas where the virus is picking up pace at the moment are in a couple of suburbs in south-western Sydney, as well as some suburbs in the inner Sydney and inner western areas."
Dr Chant said the community "cannot be complacent".
"We are also seeing case numbers increase in Central Coast and Illawarra," she said.
New casual contact venues have been confirmed in the Hunter.
Anyone who attended any of the following new venues listed on the specified dates and times is a casual contact (unless they have been contacted by NSW Health as close contacts) and must get tested and isolate until a negative test result is received.
- Woolworths (Pender Place), Maitland - Monday 6 September from 6.25pm to 6.50pm
- IGA Plus Liquor, Wangi Wangi - Monday 6 September from 3.50pm to 4pm
- The Reject Shop, Stockland Glendale - Tuesday 7 September from 10.55am to 11.05am
- Hot Bargain, Stockland Glendale - Tuesday 7 September from 10.45am to 10.55am
- Coles (Gowrie Street Mall), Singleton - Saturday 4 September from 6.10am to 6:35am
- Woolworths, Salamander Bay - Sunday 5 September from 4.45pm to 5pm
- Woolworths, Nelson Bay - Monday 30 August from 6am to 3pm; Friday 3 September from 4.30pm to 5pm; Saturday 4 September from 1.15pm to 1.40pm; Monday 6 September from 5.20pm to 5.50pm; Monday 6 September from 6.45pm to 7.15pm.
- Friendly Grocer, Stroud - Sunday 5 September from 3.15pm to 3.25pm
- DKS Butchery, Toronto - Thursday 9 September from 10.05am to 10.10am
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