Hunter New England Health (HNEH) confirmed the West Tamworth cases are from the same family and are linked to the Gunnedah cluster that's understood to have started at the Carroll Cotton Gin.

All new cases were infectious while in the community, according to HNEH public health controller Dr David Durrheim. Investigations are continuing and no new exposure sites have been listed yet.

One new case was recorded in the Gunnedah local government area in the Thursday update and none in Werris Creek.

However, fragments of the virus have been detected in the sewage at Uralla for the first time since September 14.

No information about a possible lockdown for Tamworth has been released by health authorities at this stage, though Gunnedah remains under stay at home orders.

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Health officials have urged the public to get tested. A Pfizer walk-in clinic has opened at Tamworth hospital vaccination clinic from Monday to Saturday from 9am to 12:30pm and from 1:30pm to 3pm Monday to Friday.

Testing has ramped up across the region with a pop-up clinic open in Gunnedah this weekend from Saturday to Sunday 9am to 11am at the Rural Health Centre carpark on Marquis Street. To book contact 6741 8000.

In Tamworth, the hospital testing clinic will open from 9am to 1pm on Saturday October 9 and 16. Bookings preferred at 1800 881 568, however drive-ins will be accepted.

Tamworth has not recorded more than one or two cases in a day since the pandemic first hit the town in March 2020.

One case was confirmed in the city on Sunday, and another one on Wednesday.

The entire HNEH area recorded a further 83 confirmed cases to 8pm last night, and at least 39 were infectious in the community.

Residents across the region are encouraged to continue to turn up for testing.

NSW recorded 587 new cases and sadly also announced the deaths of eight people, including a patient in their 20s.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet announced some changes to the opening up roadmap earlier on Thursday morning.

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