The Hunter New England Health District's (HNEHD) COVID numbers are surging with 15 of the new cases reported today coming from Lake Macquarie, 13 from the Mid North Coast local government area (which takes in Taree, Forster, Wingham and Gloucester regions), 12 from Newcastle, 11 from Maitland, and six from Cessnock. There were also two cases each in Tamworth and Port Stephens, and one each in Muswellbrook and Singleton.

Of these cases four were in Taree, three in Tuncurry, two in Forster, two in Wingham, one in Nabiac and one in North Arm Cove.

A total of 63 cases were diagnosed in HNEHD overnight bringing the total number of cases in the district to 2260 since August 5, 2021.

Read more:

Three schools have been shutdown for deep cleaning.

Wingham Public School recorded a second COVID case and will be closed on Monday, October 18.

Chatham High School recorded a COVID case and will be closed on Monday, October 18 for deep cleaning and contact tracing to take place.

Chatham Public School will reopen as planned after being closed for cleaning and contact tracing after a member of the school tested positive for COVID last week.

In the Mid North Coast Local Health District (MNCLHD), 13 cases have been reported in Kempsey in the last seven days.

There have been 52 cases reported in the MNCLHD since the beginning of the current NSW outbreak.

There are currently 15 exposure sites across the MNCLHD region with venues of concern in Wauchope, Kempsey and Port Macquarie.

The list of current exposure sites are:

To stay up to date on venues of concern, you can CLICK HERE and do a postcode search.

A full list of clinic locations and opening hours are listed on the NSW government website at www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/how-to-protect-yourself-and-others/clinics.

Find available vaccination bookings at the Australian government's COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Finder (previously Eligibility Checker), or you can also call Health Direct on 1800 571 155 for assistance to book.