THE total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Hunter had reached 72 as of Monday night, and 19 on the Central Coast.
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Hunter New England Health said it was postponing non-urgent surgeries to prepare for an expected surge in cases.
HNEH said 47 of the cases had been acquired internationally, 17 were infected by a known case, and four were under investigation. The source of infection was unknown for four of the cases.
Eighteen of the confirmed cases in the Hunter were aged 60 to 69.
On the Central Coast, the confirmed COVID-19 cases range in age from 18 to 84.
Central Coast Local Health District said 14 of the people acquired the coronavirus overseas, three were close contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases, one had an unknown source, and one was under investigation.
"Of these, one is in isolation at Gosford Hospital in a stable condition and the rest are in home isolation," a spokesperson for Central Coast Local Health District said.
"Health staff continue to carry out daily wellness checks with all confirmed cases in the district who remain in isolation and they are doing well.
"Close contacts of the new cases have all been identified and asked to self-isolate. They are being contacted every day to check that they are well and any close contact who develops COVID-19 symptoms will be tested for the infection."
All travellers returning or arriving from overseas must self-isolate for 14 days.
"This applies to everyone, even if you have no symptoms. Please follow the home isolation guidance," the spokesperson said.
NSW Health is continuing to trace and respond to cases as they are diagnosed to slow any spread of COVID-19 in the community.
To help protect the community people are asked to:
- clean your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand rub;
- cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing with tissue or a flexed elbow;
- avoid close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms;
- stay home if you are sick; and
- keep your distance from others as much as possible by social distancing.
For advice and information about COVID-19 visit www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/diseases/Pages/coronavirus.aspx