Tamworth records 5 new COVID-19 cases as state records 580 cases of coronavirus

Another two confirmed coronavirus cases in the New England have been captured in the latest Hunter New England Health (HNEH) statistics, which are accurate to 8pm on Friday night. Another case was identified in the Upper Hunter local government area.

HNEH also announced several new testing sites in Coledale, Gunnedah and at the Tamworth hospital this weekend.

Across the local health district, 98 additional cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed.

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The largest number, 28, were in the Lake Macquarie local government area.

Of all HNEH cases, 45 cases were in isolation during their infectious period, 41 were infectious in the community and 11 are still under investigation.

48 cases are linked to known exposures or clusters, 21 are unlinked, and the source of 29 cases is under investigation.

The district has recorded 1,630 cases since August 5.

The additional Tamworth cases add to 8 new cases identified on Friday and 8 on Thursday.

The state recorded some 580 new cases to 8pm on Friday night.

In an update on Saturday morning, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said the state was approaching a vaccination milestone of 90 per cent of residents with their first jab.

NSW Chief Health Officer Doctor Kerry Chant said state health authorities were tracking a new strain of the Delta variant of the virus.

"There's nothing about this new Delta strain ... that suggests that it's any more transmissible, going to cause illness or any other issues additional to the current Delta strain," she said.

A walk-in testing clinic will be open in Coledale's Granny Munro Park on Saturday from 10am to 12pm, with no appointment necessary.

There will also be a pop-up testing clinic in Gunnedah at the Rural Health Centre car park on Marquis Street.

The clinic will be open on Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 11am, with bookings via 6741 8000

On both Saturday 9 October and Saturday 16 October, the Tamworth Hospital testing clinic will open from 9am to 1pm at the HACC and Disabilities Building.

Bookings are preferred via 1800 881 568, however drive-ins will also be accepted.

HNEH urged people to come forward for testing.

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