JUST TWO cases of COVID-19 have been detected a day after Tamworth recorded its highest ever daily case count.
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No new cases have been confirmed in Gunnedah in the latest update on Tuesday.
As Tamworth emerges from restrictions and some of the public are handed more freedoms, businesses have reminded customers to be kind as they adjust to the new rules that exclude people who aren't double-vaxxed.
Some schools were closed on Monday and a vaccination hub was declared an exposure site.
Public health physician Dr David Durrheim said there is still a window of opportunity to get on top of the Tamworth outbreak.
"Clearly the situation in Tamworth which has been evolving over the last couple of weeks is of concern for local residents," he said.
"We've seen a number of cases of COVID emerge in the local community and most of those have been in large family groups and have been linked.
"There has been at least one mystery case where we haven't been able to identify a source but most of the other cases have been linked."
Dr Durrheim said the winter cold and flu is unlikely to be responsible for symptoms and those who experience a sore throat, runny nose, headaches or shortness of breath should get tested immediately and isolate.
"We've seen impacts on some local schools and clearly this is really disruptive to the community but the Department of Education is working closely with the school communities to make sure that everyone is kept safe," he said.
"We do encourage people to spend as little time as possible in congregated areas."
Across the Hunter New England Health district there were 47 new cases on Tuesday, a drop from almost 100 at the end of last week.
Eighteen of the cases were infectious in the community and 13 were not linked to previous known cases.
HNEH said 23 active cases were being cared for in hospital and four are in ICU units across the health district, though a spokeswoman could not confirm to the Leader whether any of those patients were in Tamworth.
NSW recorded 360 new cases, the lowest tally since August 13, and five deaths.
Of the state population aged 16 and over, 90.4 per cent has received a first dose of a vaccine and 74 per cent is double-dosed.
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NSW hospitals are treating 766 people for COVID-19, down from a peak of 1253 a month ago.
The hospital patients include 155 in intensive care, down from 242 on September 22.
The case numbers today are the first time the state has seen a drop below 400 cases a day since August 13.
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