We are slowing the spread of COVID-19 in our region, but we cannot become complacent, Hunter New England Health's leading population health expert says.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
As Hunter New England's tally of confirmed cases of COVID-19 reached 208 on Tuesday, March 31, Dr David Durrheim said the latest numbers were "encouraging", as they showed people's efforts were beginning to slow the spread of the virus.
But he said we have to keep going. We must not become "complacent".
An additional eight cases were confirmed in the Hunter New England Health district Tuesday, down from 11 cases on Monday, 22 on Sunday and 25 on Saturday.
Thirty two cases have been confirmed in the Mid Coast local government area.
Breakdown by age and sex:
- 0-9 years: nil
- 10-19 years: 2 females, 3 male
- 20-29 years: 20 women, 15 men
- 30-39 years: 14 women, 12 men
- 40-49 years: 5 women, 8 men
- 50-59 years: 16 women, 15 men
- 60-69 years: 25 women, 17 men
- 70-79 years: 22 women, 21 men
- 80-89 years: 7 women, 6 men
- 90-100 years: nil
Currently 12 COVID-19 patients are being cared for in HNEH hospitals, seven in ICU.
Of the 208 cases, 33 have recovered so far. The source of the virus in 165 cases was overseas.
"Across Hunter New England, we have seen that only 12 cases to date haven't got a specific origin - they haven't come off a cruise ship, or been a partner of someone who has come off a cruise ship, or they haven't returned from overseas," Dr Durrheim said.
"This is an exciting feature that says we are doing the right thing.
"We are slowing the spread of the virus.
"What we have got to do now though is not become complacent.
"We have got to put in everything now to distance ourselves and to follow the directions that have been given.
"Three is a crowd. Only meet one-on-one. Don't gather in crowds at all."
Hunter New England Health is contacting close contacts of the new cases, who are being asked to self-isolate for 14 days from last contact.
Daily wellness checks continue to be undertaken with all other confirmed cases in the district.
NSW Health now has information on its website showing COVID-19 statistics broken down by Local Government Area. This information can be found at the link HERE
