NO new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Tamworth or the rest of the north-west in the 24 hours leading up to 8pm on Saturday.
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However the Omicron variant has reached the region, with a confirmed case in Hunter New England and a Newcastle nightclub exposure from someone "likely to have the Omicron variant of concern".
NSW Health raised the alarm on Saturday about a December 8 exposure at Argyle House on Saturday, prompting the nightclub to close its doors until Wednesday. Hunter New England Health on Sunday confirmed an active Omicron case in the health district.
"We are concerned about transmission at the Argyle House nightclub, which was visited by a confirmed case of COVID-19 likely to have the Omicron variant of concern," NSW Health's Dr John Hall said. "A public health investigation is underway into transmission of the virus at this location, which is linked to a previously reported outbreak at a party boat cruise on Sydney Harbour on December 3."
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Authorities said three positive cases attended the venue while potentially infectious. Anyone who attended between 9pm on December 8 and 3am on December 9 to seek testing immediately and isolate until negative. If symptoms emerge later, they must get tested and isolate again. Anyone who attended outside the designated times is also urged to monitor for symptoms.
"As a result of this our staff are isolating and getting tested, therefore we will be closed tonight," Argyle House told patrons via social media on Saturday. "We'll be back partying on Wednesday. Stay safe Newcastle.
Two people are in intensive care in Hunter New England, where there are 178 active cases. New infections were detected in Newcastle (five), Maitland (two) and Lake Macquarie (one) in Sunday's announcement, with four in Midcoast.
Dr Hall said it was crucial people stayed vigilant and checked in using QR codes during the festive season, as well as staying home with even the mildest symptoms.
"Clearly we have seen a number of outbreaks recently across Sydney and now in Newcastle after people with likely to have the Omicron variant of concern attended social gatherings," he said.
"This is one of a number of large social venues such as pubs, clubs and party settings where there is increasing COVID-19 transmission. This is contributing to the increase of cases in NSW."
So far 14 of the state's 55 Omicron cases came from overseas, with 31 acquired locally. Only one Omicron case has been admitted for hospital treatment.
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