The jump in testing numbers followed the re-emergence of COVID-19 in Sydney.

Mid North Coast Local Health District chief executive Stewart Dowrick said on December 16, there were 51 COVID-19 tests conducted at the Mid North Coast Local Health District clinics, and just five days later on December 21, there were 719.

"The seven-day period up to Christmas eve was the busiest week since we first opened our clinics in March, with 2,866 tests undertaken," he said.

It has been more than eight months since the last confirmed COVID-19 case in the region but Mr Dowrick says it is important we all remain vigilant.

The local health district is monitoring the situation in Sydney very closely and the potential bearing it could have on our region.

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Sewage testing is one of the tools in the fight against COVID-19.

Sewage testing has been undertaken in Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour for some time.

Additional sewage testing sites have recently come on board at Bonny Hills, Dunbogan, Nambucca, Bellingen, South West Rocks and Crescent Head.

There has been no detection of COVID-19 fragments to date in the local sewage.

NSW Health's latest COVID-19 weekly surveillance epidemiological report said the NSW Sewage Surveillance Program tested untreated sewage for fragments of the COVID-19 virus at sewage treatment plant locations across the state.

"Testing sewage can help track infections in the community and provide early warning of an increase in infections," the report said.

The report said 98 sewage samples were tested for fragments in the week ending December 26.

There were nine detections from eight locations - Gosford (Kincumber), Hornsby Heights, Brooklyn, Bondi, Liverpool, North Head, Malabar and Warriewood treatment plants.

Meanwhile, Mr Dowrick thanked the community for working with the local health district to ensure we remained COVID-free.

"By keeping your distance, washing your hands and getting tested, even if you have only one mild symptom, you're making a difference," he said.

Mr Dowrick visited COVID-19 testing clinics over the Christmas break to thank the healthcare workers who answered the call for extra assistance during this busy time.

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