NSW Health's Dr Jeremy McAnulty spoke alongside NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian at a press conference this morning (Monday, April 6) to give an update on the current COVID-19 confirmed cases and other statistics.

Dr McAnulty said NSW Health wants to encourage increased testing for communities where there has been evidence of local cases of transmission. This includes Port Macquarie.

Six of the 29 confirmed cases currently in the Port Macquarie-Hastings local government area have an "unknown source of infection". They are identified as "locally acquired" and public health investigations and case interviews are ongoing in these cases.

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The list of locations also included a number of other towns and suburbs including Broken Hill, Lake Macquarie, Manly, Waverley, Woolhara, Ryde, Macquarie Park, Dee Why, Nowra, South Nowra and Byron.

Dr McAnulty said the increased testing would apply to locations even when there's been just a few local cases of transmission.

The COVID-19 death toll in NSW has reached 18, with the deaths of an 86-year-old man and a 85-year-old man on Sunday, April 5.

There were 57 new cases reported as of 8pm on Sunday, taking the total number in NSW to 2637.

A 91-year-old Port Macquarie man, who was a passenger on the Ruby Princess cruise liner, also died. As of April 6, 11 people who were on board the ship have died of COVID-19.

Dr McAnulty said it was pleasing to report a drop in the number of new cases on Sunday, but said there were fewer tests conducted over the weekend.

He said it's important therefore for people who have symptoms including respiratory infections, cough, shortness of breath, fever and/or a sore throat to call their doctor or their local COVID-19 testing clinic.

Dr McAnulty said the announcement was an added precaution to ensure people have access to testing in areas where there might be some local transmissions.

The District has opened a COVID-19 assessment clinic at Port Macquarie Base Hospital. Clinics also opened in Coffs Harbour and Kempsey. Call 1300 001 956 for details.

"These clinics are for those most at risk with respiratory symptoms or fever, those returning from overseas or in contact with a COVID-19 case, and local health workers," Mr Dowrick said.

"People without symptoms do not need to be tested.

"The District is asking everyone in Mid North Coast to play a part in containing the spread of COVID-19 by washing your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds, covering coughs and sneezes, maintain social distance and staying home if you're unwell."

The Port Macquarie clinic is open from 10am to 4pm weekdays. Patients are asked to present to the emergency department where they will be assessed and directed to the clinic as required.

For further health advice, visit the NSW Health website.

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