Tamworth Regional Council mayor Russell Webb contracts COVID, along with GM Paul Bennett

Cr Webb tested positive to the virus on Saturday, while Mr Bennett began his isolation on Thursday.

Both are expected to be fit and firing again for the beginning of the Tamworth Country Music Festival, which begins on the 18^th, but for now contingencies have been put in place by council.

"Tamworth Region Mayor Russell Webb and Tamworth Regional Council General Manager Paul Bennett have both tested positive to COVID-19 and are working remotely while self-isolating as required under the NSW Government Public Health Orders," a spokesperson said.

"In Cr Webb's absence, Deputy Mayor Mark Rodda will chair tomorrow [Tuesday] night's ordinary meeting."

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Both of them are doing fine, although Cr Webb has reportedly been knocked a little flat by the virus.

Cr Hooke from Gunnedah told the Leader he was nearing the end of his symptoms, but it had given him the worst headaches of his life, early on.

The outbreak among the region's councils is no shock given the high case numbers throughout the New England North West.

Sadly the recent surge has led to another death, with a Uralla local understood to be included in Friday's numbers.

On Friday afternoon, Dr Ricardo Alkhouri took to the Facebook page of Uralla Medical Centre to confirm the town's first COVID-related death.

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