Newcastle adds most of Hunter New England Health's 49 fresh COVID-19 cases as region tops NSW numbers

The health district added 49 to the state's 282 locally-acquired cases, the most of any part of NSW.

There were two cases on the Central Coast, while Murrumbidgee had 45 and South Western Sydney added 41.

The Hunter cases, which take the region's outbreak count to 2729, include a dozen from Newcastle and eight in Lake Macquarie.

Newcastle's infections were scattered across multiple suburbs, with two cases each in Carrington, Hamilton South and Jesmond.

The remainder fell in Broadmeadow, Cooks Hill, Elermore Vale, Mayfield, Mayfield East and Mayfield West.

Lake Macquarie had three cases in Windale, two at Bolton Point and one apiece for Cardiff, Belmont South and Cardiff South.

In Maitland there were eight cases, with three from Thornton and two each at Rutherford and Tenambit. Gillieston Heights also recorded a cse.

That figure matched Cessnock, where there were five cases in Kurri Kurri, two in Cessnock and an eighth in Heddon Greta.

Half of Midcoast Council's six cases fell in Taree. The remainder were spread between Harrington, Tuncurry and Wingham.

Port Stephens had five cases, with one in Corlette and four in Raymond Terrace, while Dungog added cases from Gresford and Clarence Town.

Hunter New England Health said 24 active cases are in hospitals, with six requiring intensive care.

In terms of origin of infection 28 cases are linked to known cases or clusters while 16 are unlinked and five are still under investigation.

A dozen cases isolated while infectious, with at least 32 infectious in the community.

Five remain under investigation.

Three Hunter schools were among exposure sites declared on Tuesday due to COVID-19, while those closed on Monday have reopened.

IN THE NEWS:

The state announced earlier on Tuesday that NSW is treating more than 100 people in intensive care as COVID numbers continue to climb, albeit at a slowing rate.

The state recorded 284 fresh case in the 24 hours to 8pm on Monday, including two international arrivals.

One person died during the same period.

The man, aged in his 80s, was not vaccinated. He died at Wollongong Hospital.

NSW Health data shows 93.1 per cent of people aged 16 or older have had one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, with 85 per cent of that cohort double dosed.

In the 12-15 year old age group, 78 per cent have had their first dose and 51.5 per cent are fully vaccinated.

There were 71,352 tests conducted in that period.

There are 457 people in hospital and 109 require intensive care.

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: