BY JARROD MELMETH

A man in his 80’s has died at John Hunter Hospital, as a result of acquiring COVID-19 at the Hawkins Masonic Village at Edgeworth. It’s the second death since the local outbreak began, both are related to the Edgeworth nursing home.

Dr Marianne Gale from NSW Health says while the man had two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, he also had some serious underlying medical conditions.

Two new cases were recorded in the Hunter, one in East Branxton and one in Toronto. All of the new cases are linked to existing ones, while the Toronto case was infectious in the community.

It brings the local outbreak to 163, since August 5.

Statewide, NSW recorded 818 cases and three more deaths. One was the Hunter man in his 80s, the second a woman in her 80s from south west Sydney and another man in his 80s also from south west Sydney.

Deputy Police Commissioner Gary Worboys says in the past 24 hours 590 Penalty Infringement Notices were issued, including at a church service at Blacktown where police found 60 worshippers from a number of local government areas of concern.

A number of new exposure sites have been added overnight including at Cardiff and Glendale.

Anyone who attended the following venues on the specified dates and times are considered a close contact and must get tested and isolate until a negative result is received.
– Woolworths, Cardiff on Tuesday 17 August between 5:06pm – 5:22pm
– Woolworths, Glendale on Thursday 19 August between 10:07am – 10:13am
– Coles, Stockland Glendale on Wednesday 18 August between 8:12am – 8:19am

Image: 2NURFM