THERE are only two new cases of COVID-19 across the Hunter New England Health (HNEH) district but Tamworth's case count has remained the same in the latest 24-hour testing period.
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The Tamworth local council area has 13 confirmed cases, and has recorded one death - a 58-year-old woman died in Tamworth hospital on Thursday.
While Tamworth has recorded only one new confirmed case in almost three weeks, numbers around the region are still climbing.
NSW Health data confirmed Armidale had between one and four patients with the virus at as 8pm on Sunday, and at least one of those cases has an unknown source of infection.
The Leader revealed on Monday two child protection workers at the Armidale Community Services Centre were confirmed to have the COVID-19 virus, after testing late last week.
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At least 19 staff at the office have been forced to self-isolate while they nervously await COVID-19 test results.
The confirmed cases are receiving medical treatment and the Jessie Street office was shut on Monday for specialist clean.
NSW Health lists Inverell, Tenterfield, Moree, Armidale, Gunnedah, Glen Innes, Liverpool Plains and Uralla as having at least one and up to four cases.
NSW Health doesn't specify the exact case count of a local area until it clocks at least five confirmed cases.
Moree recorded its first confirmed case late last week after HNEH launched a testing blitz in the town.
The silent spread of COVID-19 is a concern for public health authorities, who are dealing with mystery cases in Moree, Armidale, Tenterfield, Gunnedah and Tamworth.
At least one patient in each of those towns has an unknown source of infection, according to NSW Health statistics.
Tracing has also failed to uncover where the local woman who died in Tamworth hospital on Thursday contracted COVID-19.
Health authorities have said they are still working hard to trace the source.
Gwydir Shire, Walcha and Narrabri council areas remain free of confirmed cases, as at 8pm on Sunday.
Late on Monday, Hunter New England Health confirmed two new cases of COVID-19 in its daily update.
It takes the health district's patient tally to 278 cases since the outbreak began.
Six patients are being cared for in Hunter New England hospitals, including one in intensive care. Thirteen other patients are receiving Hospital in the Home support.
In the 24 hours to Sunday night, seven extra patients have recovered, meaning 230 patients in total across the health district have now recovered.
A 'recovered case' is any patient who previously had been diagnosed with COVID-19 but is no longer under active surveillance by the public health unit, in either a hospital or in the community. This includes someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 and has now completed the required period of self-isolation, or someone who has previously been diagnosed with COVID-19 who no longer has the virus.
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Breanna Chillingworth
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
Northern Daily Leader Senior Crime and Court Reporter
Police and crime reporter at the Newcastle Herald. Email: afalkenmire@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Police and crime reporter at the Newcastle Herald. Email: afalkenmire@austcommunitymedia.com.au
