Newcastle COVID cluster explodes; positive Port Macquarie aged care case

A total of 424 new COVID-19 cases were diagnosed to 8pm Tuesday night, December 14 in the HNEHD.

At least 243 cases are from the Newcastle local government area, after a positive case attended a local nightclub, The Argyle House, last Wednesday night.

There are 827 active cases in the District. Seven active cases are being cared for in hospitals, and three are in ICU.

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NSW Health has stated it is concerned about the escalating transmission in the Newcastle area, with venues linked to cases likely to have been infected with the Omicron variant.

"It is likely that the overwhelming majority of the cases in Newcastle will be the Omicron variant of concern," it said.

In the Mid North Coast Local Health District from Port Macquarie north to Coffs Harbour, there were eight new cases of COVID-19 reported overnight.

Five cases are from the Nambucca Valley Local Government Area (LGA) and there is one case each from the Port Macquarie-Hastings, Kempsey and Coffs Harbour LGAs.

Five of the cases are household contacts of a confirmed case, two are linked to a known case or cluster and the source of the infection of one case is under investigation.

Two people are being treated in hospital.

Macksville High School is the latest school to be shut down after a member of the school community tested positive. It follows Kempsey West Public School and Hastings Secondary College's Westport campus in Port Macquarie.

An aged care worker has also tested positive in a Port Macquarie aged care facility.

A staff member at residential aged care facility St Agnes' House tested positive on Sunday.

St Agnes Parish CEO Adam Spencer said everything possible is being done to contain the situation.

Residents are isolating in their rooms and have limited contact with staff while testing is underway.

Mr Spencer said at this stage, no-one else has presented as being unwell and they will continue to work closely with NSW Health to manage the situation.

"As soon as the case was confirmed, we activated our Outbreak Management Plan, which was developed to manage such a situation," Mr Spencer said.

"Strict protocols are in place to support the effectiveness of this plan including additional precautions for infection prevention and control such as the wearing of personal protection equipment (PPE), no visitors and only essential personnel being allowed on site.

"SACAL staff are working closely with the relevant health authorities, particularly Mid North Coast Health Public Health Unit, to manage the situation and to minimise the spread of infection.

"All staff are fully vaccinated per Public Health Orders and most residents took advantage of the vaccination clinics run this year at the St Agnes' site with some having already received booster shots.

"We are monitoring the situation closely and our dedicated, professional staff will continue to deliver safe, quality care and services to all residents,.

"We thank our residents, their families and friends for their understanding and will be communicating with them regularly to ensure they are kept up to date."

There have been 596 cases reported in the District since the beginning of the current NSW outbreak.

Public health officials urge anyone who has even the mildest of symptoms to get tested immediately and self-isolate until they receive a negative result.

There continues to be high demand for COVID-19 testing at our clinics across the Mid North Coast.

Healthcare workers and support staff are working exceptionally hard to test everyone, including people with symptoms and those requiring testing for interstate travel.

Drive-through testing clinic opening hours are:

People are urged to get vaccinated to protect yourself and others against COVID-19 and keep coming forward for testing if you experience any symptoms.

For COVID-19 updates, including testing and vaccination clinic details and information about self-isolation, visit www.nsw.gov.au

You can now receive a booster vaccination five months after your second dose, with both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines available.

If you had your second dose in July or earlier you are eligible for a booster.

Book at www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/vaccination/get-vaccinated/boosters

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