Covid figures for Friday

THERE were 15 deaths in the past 24 hours, the most to date in New South Wales, including a woman in her 50s who died at home.

The first case of covid has been identified in Merriwa and more new cases in Muswellbrook, Singleton, Dungog and Cessnock (see details below).

It is unlikely the Upper Hunter Shire Council will go into lockdown, as the state will begin reopening on October 11 and lockdowns will only be required when significant community outbreaks occur.

The virus has been detected in Quirindi, Armidale and Tamworth sewerage networks.

Covid numbers for today:

• 865 new cases
• 1055 people are hospitalised
• 210 people are in intensive care
• 104 people are being ventilated
• 15 people have passed away
  • 3 in their 50s
  • 2 in their 60s
  • 2 in their 70s
  • 6 in their 80s
  • 2 in their 90s

Regional cases of covid by local district health service:

The local health districts of Illawarra and Hunter have now taken over some Sydney health districts, with a trend of declining numbers in Sydney and rising numbers in the regions.

• 96 Illawarra Shoalhaven
• 69 Hunter New England Health
• 48 Western NSW
• 44 Nepean Blue Mountains
• 36 Central Coast
• 20 Southern NSW
• 7 Far West
• 7 Murrumbidgee
• 5 Northern NSW
• 3 Mid North Coast
• 4 in correctional settings
• 7 unassigned to an LHD

Local cases of covid:

• 1 – Upper Hunter Shire LGA
  • 1 in Merriwa
  • 3 cases in total
• 3 are from Muswellbrook LGA
  • 3 in Muswellbrook
  • 9 cases in total
• 2 are from Singleton LGA
  • 1 in Singleton
  • 1 in Singleton Heights
  • 13 cases in total
• 8 are from Cessnock LGA
  • 3 in Neath
  • 2 in East Branxton
  • 1 in Weston
  • 1 in Cessnock
  • 1 in Cliftleigh
  • 77 cases in total
• 1 in Dungog LGA
  • 1 in Gresford
  • 1 case in total