Shortland party links the Blacksmiths and Newcastle University COVID cases after new exposure sites emerge, Dr David Durrheim says

Anyone who attended the Queens Wharf Hotel on Sunday, August 1, from 8.15 to 9.20pm - or Honeysuckle Social from Thursday, August 5, from 12.10 to 1.50pm - is considered a close contact.

They must get tested and isolate for 14 days since they were there, regardless of the result.

It comes after Hunter New England Health's public health team revealed it learned "belatedly" that members of the party group from Blacksmiths Beach and a Wallsend-Shortland "gathering" had also attended some of the Hunter's busiest licensed venues in Newcastle.

On Tuesday afternoon, Hunter New England Health's Dr David Durrheim said it was "extremely disappointing" to learn members of the party from Blacksmiths Beach - and from a Wallsend-Shortland gathering - had been out in the Newcastle longer and earlier than they first thought.

It was understood people from western Sydney broke lockdown restrictions and travelled to the party at Blacksmiths beach on the weekend of July 31, but exposure sites since linked back to the party now include three busy Newcastle bars on the night of Friday, July 30.

"This is an urgent call out to anyone who was there on the Friday night at these times to immediately get tested, isolate, and wait for a negative result," Dr Durrheim said.

Anyone at the Great Northern Hotel from 7 to 8pm on Friday, July 30, is a "casual contact" and must get tested and isolate until they receive a negative test result.

The same advice applies to anyone at Babylon bar in King Street on the same night from 8.05 to 8.30pm and patrons at the Cambridge Hotel from 8.45pm to 3am.

IN THE NEWS:

Customers at Barber Industries, at Westfield Kotara, from 1.30 to 2pm on Thursday, August 5, are considered close contacts and must get tested and isolate for 14 days regardless of the result.

Customers of Ritchies IGA at New Lambton received health alerts that a COVID-positive person had visited the store from 2.35 to 2.45pm on August 3.

Anyone there at the same time is deemed a casual contact and should get tested and isolate until receiving a negative result.

Central Coast Health also added McDonalds at Jilliby on the M1 to its exposure site list, saying it was "associated with a confirmed case from the Hunter New England region".

Anyone who attended the fast food restaurant between 9.15am and 9.45am on Friday August 6 is considered a casual contact. They must get tested and isolate until they receive a negative result, then get tested again five days after the exposure or if any symptoms occur.

Central Leagues Club at Charlestown was closed for deep cleaning on Tuesday after receiving advice that a positive COVID-19 case had been at the venue on August 2 (12pm to 5pm),3 (between 5.30pm and 9.20pm) and 4 (between 4.40 and 8.45pm).

Patrons who attended at these times are considered close contacts, and must get tested and isolate for 14 days since they were there, regardless of the result.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: