THE region's poor air quality has led to an increase in hospital admissions, health authorities have confirmed.
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Air quality in Tamworth was more than 50 per cent higher than the state government's benchmark for hazardous pollution on Tuesday.
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Hunter New England public health physician David Durrheim said asthma and respiratory related admissions at Tamworth hospital had increased.
"We had 25 admissions last week, which was up from the average of about 16 over the last five years," he said.
Dr Durrheim encouraged people with pre-existing chronic illnesses to trigger their asthma action plans and avoid activity in the smoke.
Tamworth GP Daniel Rankmore had also noticed more patients with asthma and congestion in recent weeks.
While the smoke blanketing Tamworth was preceded by dust storms weeks earlier, Dr Rankmore said the smoke had "knocked people around" more.
He said the smoke would go deeper into people's lungs because of its smaller particle size.
He said people should "be sensible" and avoid the smoke.
It is unclear when the haze smoke will clear over the city.
Temperatures are expected to soar later in the week with a top temperature of 38 degrees tipped for Thursday.
It will climb to 39 in Gunnedah on Thursday.
Meanwhile thunderstorms are predicted in the region for Sunday.