Public Health Director for the North Coast Public Health unit Paul Corben has praised the community for its resilience and persistence to self-isolation and hygiene measures since the virus was first detected in our region.

As of 8pm, April 28, the Mid North Coast Health District has recorded 50 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 45 of which have recovered after either a period in hospital or by completing mandatory self-isolation at home.

Across the Health District 4,245 tests have been completed. There has tragically been one death. The 91-year-old man who passed away at Port Macquarie Base Hospital was a passenger on the Ruby Princess cruise ship.

Earlier this month (April) Port Macquarie was listed as a hotspot for increased testing because of the number of current cases at the time that had no known source of infection.

Read more: Easing of NSW COVID-19 restrictions 'not a licence to break the rules'

Mr Corben said while social visitation restrictions will slowly be eased from this Friday, it is not a time to be complacent. If anything, heightened awareness about maintaining good hygiene and social distancing will be more important to avoid a resurgence in the transmission of the virus.

"I think generally there has been very good support by the community, and not just on the North Coast but across NSW and Australia," Mr Corben said.

"We are just one of many parts of the world using very well known strategies of social distancing and good personal hygiene, and we know they are proven, effective strategies.

"While there will now be some relaxing of those distancing measures, we need to be vigilant that people use these judiciously.

"As we've seen in other parts of the world, untouched, this virus can wreak havoc in communities.

"It can make some people very sick and as we've seen here tragically, can take a life."

Mr Corben reinforced expert health advice that relaxing the rules must be done in a measured way.

"From a community and public health perspective, heightened vigilance is a must now," he said.

"Moving forward must be done in an organised way. We don't want to roll back - that would just be disheartening for everyone.

"We've still got quite a long way to go with this pandemic."

Mr Corben praised the dedicated and tireless work of Mid North Coast health workers who have provided care and support for those diagnosed with the infection.

He also praised the efforts beyond the health system saying everyone who has stepped up to ensure the community has what it needs, from supermarket shelf stackers to caring neighbours, has been the positive to come out of a very challenging situation.

"It has been good to see so many people helping each other in this time of need," he said.

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