cessnock

The new cases are from the Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, Maitland, Cessnock, Muswellbrook and Glen Innes local government areas.

It's the first time since August 27 that the states case numbers have dipped below 1000.

24 new COVID cases were recorded across the region on Friday.

The new cases are spread across the Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, Cessnock, Port Stephens and Gunnedah local government areas.

Council says temporary fencing has gone up around the playground while repairs are made.

The new cases have been recorded across five local government areas.

On Sunday, officers from Hunter Valley Police District received a tip off regarding the plan to drop the contraband into the correctional centre via a drone.

An outdoor mask mandate is being introduced, including for Regional NSW from Monday 23 August requiring masks to be worn outdoors except when exercising.

The upcoming local government elections have been postponed for a second time, as the current COVID-19 outbreak continues to worsen throughout the state.

With almost $5 million available through Stage Two of the Bushfire Recovery fund, Dungog, Cessnock, Singleton and Upper Hunter Council areas will all receive funding to support bushfire recovery across their impacted communities.